Steve Williamson

Steve Williamson (born 28 June 1964) is an English saxophonist and composer (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, keyboard and composition). He has been called "one of the most distinctive saxophone voices in contemporary British jazz".[1]

For the U.S. Naval officer, see Stephen F. Williamson.
Steve Williamson
Steve Williamson
Background information
Birth nameStephen Williamson
Born (1964-06-28) 28 June 1964
OriginLondon, England
Occupation(s)saxophonist, composer
InstrumentsTenor, soprano and alto saxophones, keyboards
Years active1982 – present
LabelsVerve, Universal Distribution, Polydor
Associated actsLouis Moholo, Chris McGregor, Jazz Warriors, Julian Joseph
Websitestevewilliamson.co

Biography

Born in west London to Jamaican parents, Steve Williamson began playing saxophone at the age of 16 and started his career playing in reggae bands, including Misty in Roots.[2]

In 1984 and 1985 he studied at London's Guildhall School of Music, where he was tutored by Lionel Grigson. Williamson was a member of the noted collective of British-born black jazz musicians who came together as the Jazz Warriors in the mid-1980s.[3]

At the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday open-air festival in 1988 Williamson played alongside Courtney Pine in Wembley Stadium and afterwards was a constant presence at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. He was member of Louis Moholo's Viva La Black (1988) and of Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath (1990). During the 1990s he led his own band and appeared in projects of Iain Ballamy, Maceo Parker, Bheki Mseleku, US3, and Graham Haynes.

In 1990 Williamson released his first album A Waltz for Grace with Verve, featuring vocalist Abbey Lincoln. In 1992 he released his second album, Rhyme Time, followed by Journey to Truth in 1994, featuring Cassandra Wilson.

Discography

As Leader

As Sideman

Sources
  • Martin Kunzler, Jazz-Lexikon, vol. 2, 2002. ISBN 3-499-16513-9
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References
  1. "Steve Williamson", World Heart Beat Music Academy.
  2. "Steve Williamson Pt.1", UK Vibe, 2014.
  3. Steve Williamson biography Archived 2014-09-28 at Archive.today, Jazz Services.
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