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

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

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 performed 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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Kennedy, Gary W. (2003). "Williams, Jeff(rey Lawrence)". oxfordmusiconline.com. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J726800.
  2. 1 2 3 Madsen, Peter (May 30, 2006). "Jeff Williams: Drums in the House". AllAboutJazz.
  3. ↑ "Staff - Jeff Williams". ram.ac.uk. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Jeff Williams". Birmingham City University. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  5. ↑ Barber, Lynn (April 22, 2007). "Interview: Lionel Shriver". The Observer. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
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