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James Williams
Williams began playing piano at age 13, and served as the organist at the Eastern Star Baptist Church in Memphis for six years early in his career. He attended Memphis State University, where he began playing jazz. In 1973 he became a faculty member at the Berklee College of Music, also playing with Alan Dawson's group alongside visiting musicians such as Milt Jackson, Art Farmer, and Sonny Stitt. His first album as a leader arrived in 1977, and in 1978 he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, remaining there for four years.
He moved to New York City in the early 1980s, playing with Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, and Kenny Burrell, and formed his own group, the Intensive Care Unit, with Christian McBride, Bill Pierce, and Tony Reedus. In 1987, he played with Blakey again in the Magical Trio (along with Ray Brown; he and Brown would also work with Elvin Jones and Jeff Tain Watts). In 1999 he became director of jazz studies at William Paterson University, where he remained until his death of liver cancer in 2004.
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Frank Tiberi, Joe Lovano and George Garzone: Tiberian Mode
by Jim Worsley
While the three tenor saxophone soloists with piano, bass, and drums was already a proven sextet formula, the Tiberian Mode is one of vast reproportioning and accelerated creativity. Led by big band divinity Frank Tiberi and two of his disciples, George Garzone, and Joe Lovano, the project unleashes power, vigor, and contrasting jazz sensibilities. Attention is piqued even before listening when you learn that the first song is the first and last section of John Coltrane's Giant Steps" ...
read moreJames Williams: Jazz Dialogues Vol. 1-4
by Russ Musto
The tragedy of pianist/producer James Williams' premature passing in July at the age of 53 is too great and painful too dwell upon at this early juncture, so suffice it to say that the sadness his untimely death has brought to his many, many friends and fans in the jazz community is truly immense. Williams was a prince among men, loved and respected by all who knew and performed with him and this four-volume set of duos with 24 individual ...
read morePianist James Williams Re-Opens Defunct Jazz Dive
by Matt Merewitz
Audience rapport is the true key for pianist James Williams. The Memphis-born Jazz Messenger alum has an urbane aura in his voice and his mannerisms that translate to his playing. He is a torch pianist much in the Ellingtonian tradition and fittingly has a special penchant for Strayhorn’s main d’oeuvre.
What strikes me about Williams is not that he knows virtually every song in the jazz, pop, classical, and gospel canons; or his keen sense of melody; or even his ...
read moreFrank Tiberi: Tiberian Mode
by Jack Bowers
Better late than never. Although Frank Tiberi’s stature among his fellow musicians approaches legendary, it took a Woody Herman alumnus (John Nugent) with his own record company to appreciate the benefits of bringing the present leader of the Herman Herd into a studio to document his prodigious talents. And while doing so, to invite two of Tiberi’s ardent admirers and former “students,” saxophonists Joe Lovano and George Garzone, to take part in the session. Lovano and Garzone are graduates of ...
read moreGuitar Virtuoso James Williams To Release New CD "Eclectic Shred" Featuring Symphony X And James Labrie Members
Source:
Glass Onyon PR - William James
Plano, TX - Much to the excitement of guitarists around the world, guitar virtuoso James Williams will be releasing his new solo CD 'Eclectic Shred' on October 30, 2012. Featuring guest appearances by Mike LePond from Symphony X and Matt Guillroy from James Labrie/Yngwie Malmsteen, and to be released on the Eclectic Shred label, the new CD by James Williams is an exercise in guitar wizardry, the likes of which have not been heard before! “Quality songs, quality players. Just ...
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"We Always Swing" Jazz Series Releases "Soulful Serendipity" Featuring James Williams & Bobby Watson
Source:
All About Jazz
We Always Swing" Jazz Series releases Soulful Serendipity. Historic CD Features James Williams & Bobby Watson in ONLY Duo Appearance & Recording House Concert," recorded in Columbia, Mo., June 14, 2003, captures two jazz favorites in concert. COLUMBIA, MOThe We Always Swing" Jazz Series announced it has just released the much-anticipated and long-awaited Soulful Serendipity, a live CD featuring the late pianist James Williams and saxophonist Bobby Watson in concert. The performance and recording, captured June 14, 2003, in Columbia, ...
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James Williams Obituary
Source:
All About Jazz
James Williams - Director of Jazz Studies, Small Ensembles Education: B.S. Mus. Ed., Memphis State University.
Performances: Four years, ten albums with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers; pianist with Alan Dawson, supporting Art Farmer, Milt Jackson, Sonny Stitt, Pat Martino, Jean Carne, Red Norvo, and Arnett Cobb; charter member of Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra; performed, toured, recorded with Thad Jones, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry, Chet Baker and Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown, George Duvivier, Art Farmer, Kenny Burrell, ...
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James Williams - Memorial Services
Source:
All About Jazz
There will be memorial services for James Williams on...
July 31st at 12pm St. John Baptist Church 640 Vance Ave. Memphis. TN 38126 901-525-1092
For further information please contact: Hannibal Parks 901 345-1980 or 901 246-9536
There will be a celebration of James Williams' Life and Legacy: Make A Joyful Noise" in NYC at a date TBA. For further information on Make A Joyful Noise" please email: [email protected] ...
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James Williams, 1951 - 2004
Source:
All About Jazz
Jazz pianist, composer and mentor James Williams died this morning of complications from liver cancer, according to longtime friend John Tibbets. Williams was 53 and for that young age has left us a wonderful legacy of jazz. In the words of friend and fellow Jazz Messengers alumnus Geoff Keezer, James was a tireless supporter of his fellow jazz musicians, both young and old, and maintained an almost single-pointed focus and dedication to preserving, honoring, and advancing the tradition of acoustic ...
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3 Piano Extravaganza: Bill Charlap, Cyrus Chestnut, James Williams Live at Birdland February 18 - 21
Source:
All About Jazz
Pianists Cyrus Chestnut, Bill Charlap and James Williams come together for the first time to glide you through the jazz piano tradition, each with their own personal stamp. Accompanied by the propulsive rhythm team of bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White, this is one event you won't want to miss. Performances for the show, produced by Charles Carlini, begin at 9 pm and 11 pm at Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th avenues February 18 - ...
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