Jeff Williams (musician)

Jeffrey Lawrence Williams (born July 6, 1950) is an American jazz drummer, composer, and educator.

Jeff Williams
Birth nameJeffrey Lawrence Williams
Born (1950-07-06) July 6, 1950
Mount Vernon, Ohio, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, educator
InstrumentsDrums
Years active1960s–present
LabelsWhirlwind
Websitewillfulmusic.com

Early life

Williams was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, on July 6, 1950.[1] He grew up in Oberlin, Ohio.[1] His mother was a singer in the 1960s.[1] Williams began playing the drums, self-taught, at the age of seven and played professionally from his mid-teens.[1] From 1968, "he studied arranging and composition at the Berklee School of Music".[1]

Later life and career

Williams played for a short time with various musicians in New York in 1971, joined pianist Marc Copland's band, and played for the first time with saxophonist Lee Konitz in 1972.[1] He continued to work with Konitz on and off into the 2000s.[1] Williams played with saxophonist Stan Getz at the end of 1972 and into early 1973, before joining the band Lookout Farm, led by Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach.[1] Williams was also the drummer in pianist Beirach's trio for recordings in the mid-1970s.[1]

Williams was part of the band Interplay, formed by bassist Anthony Cox and pianist Peter Madsen in the mid-1980s.[2] This trio went on to play with Getz in 1987.[2] Some of Williams's compositions were played on the albums Coalescence and Jazzblues.[2] The former title was also the name of Williams's group from 1991 to 1996.[1] The following year, "he formed the trio Circadian Rhythms with Tony Malaby and Michael Formanek. He also formed another trio, Left-handed Compliment, with the alto saxophonist John O'Gallagher and Madsen (on Hammond organ)".[1]

Williams has taught at the Royal Academy of Music[3] and the Birmingham Conservatoire.[4] He is married to the American author Lionel Shriver.[5]

Discography

As leader or co-leader

As sideman

With Richard Beirach

  • Eon (ECM, 1974)
  • Methuselah (Trio, 1975)

With Paul Bley

With Ethan Iverson

With Lee Konitz

With Dave Liebman


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References
  1. Kennedy, Gary W. "Williams, Jeff(rey Lawrence)". www.oxfordmusiconline.com. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-2000726800.
  2. Madsen, Peter (30 May 2006). "Jeff Williams: Drums in the House". AllAboutJazz.
  3. "Staff - Jeff Williams". www.ram.ac.uk. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  4. "Jeff Williams". Birmingham City University. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  5. Barber, Lynn (22 April 2007). "Interview: Lionel Shriver". The Observer. Retrieved 29 February 2020.


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