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David Williams

David Williams' route to the top of the jazz world has been somewhat unconventional: it has taken him from Trinidad to London to New York to Washington, DC to Los Angeles and back to New York. But there is nothing conventional about brilliance, and as a bassist, that is what David Williams exemplifies. His sound is deep and resonant, his section playing seems effortless, his solos are rhythmic and compelling, and his intonation is flawless.

David was born in Trinidad; the island's rich musical heritage was made available to him in an invaluable way —- his father, John "Buddy" Williams, was a highly‑regarded bassist who led his own calypso band. David, meanwhile, went from piano at age 5 to violin at 6 and wasn't fond of either instrument. Although his father did not give him lessons, David watched closely and experimented with the bass on his own. He was also intrigued by the steel pans, and loved to play them. He started to play bass in earnest at age 12. When his sister was awarded a scholarship to study piano in London, David joined her, and studied bass at the London College of Music for a year.

David came to New York for a visit in 1969, and happened upon a workshop run by Beaver Harris, Grachan Moncour and Roland Alexander. When Jimmy Garrison didn't show, David sat in. One night Ron Carter came by and instead of reclaiming the gig, brought in his cello and encouraged David to keep playing. On a tip from Ron, David secured the bass spot with Gap and Chuck Mangione, and when he tired of that, followed another Carter lead to Washington, D.C. and promptly became Roberta Flack's bass player. The alliance lasted for two years, during which time David also worked with Donny Hathaway.

When he returned to New York, David was called to work in a number of situations: The Voices of East Harlem, Donald Byrd & the Blackbyrds (with whom David received his first gold record), a Brazilian gig at the Tin Palace led by Charlie Rouse. During this time he met Cedar Walton and his bassist Sam Jones; David subbed for Sam once or twice. George Coleman, Roy Haynes, Billy Taylor and Junior Cook were among the musicians who hired David; he also played regularly with Ornette Coleman before signing on with Elvin Jones for a two­year stint.

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Album Review

Mary Stallings: Songs Were Made to Sing

Read "Songs Were Made to Sing" reviewed by Dave Linn


One of eleven children, Mary Stallings was born in San Francisco in 1939. In her teens, she began singing in San Francisco night clubs and performed with Ben Webster, Earl Hines, Red Mitchell, Teddy Edwards, and Wes Montgomery. Before graduating from high school, she joined R&B singer Louis Jordan's Tympani Five. In the early '60s, she performed with Dizzy Gillespie at both the Black Hawk nightclub and the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival. Her debut album was Cal Tjader ...

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Javon Jackson: The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni

Read "The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Nikki Giovanni è una delle scrittrici afro-americane più note al mondo. Emersa alla fine degli anni sessanta come innovativa poetessa della Black Revolution entro il Black Arts Movement (c'erano anche Amiri Baraka e Ishmael Reed) ha pubblicato numerose raccolte di poesie e opere su questioni sociali, insegnando al contempo in varie università statunitensi. Giunta alla soglia degli ottant'anni ha un enorme curriculum di riconoscimenti prestigiosi. L'idea d'incidere quest'album col gruppo del sassofonista Javon Jackson nasce nel ...

2
Album Review

David Williams: Tipping My Hat To Leonard

Read "Tipping My Hat To Leonard" reviewed by Paul Naser


When thinking of powerful, challenging lyrics, “gypsy" jazz rarely comes to mind. David Williams is out to change that one song at at time. The Emmy award winning songwriter's CV is impressive to say the least; he has worked for PBS (how he won his Emmy), written multiple books on topics ranging from poetry to neuroscience and taught as a university professor, all while continuing to play gypsy jazz. However, after a divorce, Williams moved to Nashville for a new ...

5
Extended Analysis

David Hazeltine and Mike Kaplan: Two Perspectives On Cedar Walton

Read "David Hazeltine and Mike Kaplan: Two Perspectives On Cedar Walton" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Years ago, I often went to a club in which a guest soloist was coupled with the house rhythm section. At one point in nearly every opening set, in an effort to find some common ground, the leader called Cedar Walton's “Bolivia." Sitting and waiting in anticipation for the theme to be played became an important part of witnessing each performance. Regardless of who was on the bandstand, “Bolivia" never failed to bring out the best in everyone.

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348

Obituary

David Williams Guitarist on Jackson Hits Dies

David Williams Guitarist on Jackson Hits Dies

Source: Michael Ricci

David Williams, 58, a session guitar player who performed and recorded with Michael Jackson, Madonna and the Temptations, among others, died of cardiac arrest March 6 at the Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, Va., after suffering a stroke March 2.

A native of Newport News, Va., Williams had moved to Hampton after years living in California and on the road.

Williams played guitar on many of Jackson's biggest hits, including those from the albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

With Peter Bradley

Palmetto Records
2023

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Songs Were Made to...

Smoke Sessions Records
2019

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Tipping My Hat To...

Trapdoor Media
2018

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I Remember Cedar

Sharp Nine Records
2015

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Never Let Me Go

From: With Peter Bradley
By David Williams

Wade in the Water

From: The Gospel According to Nikki...
By David Williams

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