Steve Williams | |
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Williams in New York City in 2007. |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Stephen Edward Williams |
Born | January 7, 1956 |
Origin | Rochester, New York, U.S. |
Genres | Jazz |
Occupations | Drummer |
Instruments | drums |
Years active | 1980–present |
Labels | Elabeth |
Associated acts | Shirley Horn Miles Davis Toots Thielemans Ron Carter Milt Jackson Freddie Hubbard Joe Williams Larry Willis Mulgrew Miller Gary Thomas Branford Marsalis Wynton Marsalis Carmen McRae Roy Hargrove |
Website | www.abrushfire.com |
Members | |
Olivier Hutman (p) Michael Bowie (b) Donvonte McCoy (t) Antoine Roney (s) |
Stephen Edward Williams (born January 7, 1956) is an American jazz drummer.
For twenty-five years he has collaborated with jazz pianist and singer Shirley Horn.
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Williams was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in Washington, DC. He continued his music education at the University of Miami. There he joined Monty Alexander's band, with whom he started to perform on the international scene. He furthered his music education in New York, with Billy Hart.
Back in Washington, Williams played locally with Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Williams, Woodie Shaw, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Larry Willis, Mulgrew Miller and many others. He joined Gary Thomas' band, with whom he recorded one of his first compositions, "Pads".
Then he joined Shirley Horn, who would keep for twenty-five years the same rhythm section: Charles Ables (bass) and Steve Williams (drums). Critic Don Heckman wrote in the Los Angeles Times (February 2, 1995) about "the importance of bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams to the Horn's sound. Working with boundless subtlety, following her every spontaneous twist and turn, they were the ideal accompanists for a performer who clearly will tolerate nothing less than perfection". His music relationship with the pianist and singer gives him the opportunity to tour the world and record with such artists as Toots Thielemans, Branford Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis, Carmen McRae, Roy Hargrove and Miles Davis.
After his long collaboration with Shirley Horn, Williams moved back to New York in 2006, where he studied with Michael Carvin. He performs among others with the Slagle/Stryker Band, Paul Bollenbach, Roni Ben-Hur, Larry Willis, the John Hicks Legacy Band, Bill Saxton, Bob Mover, Amy London, Sara Lazarus, Ben Vereen, Joe Lovano, Eddie Henderson, Carmen Lundy, Bob Stewart, Clifton Anderson. Known for his refinement with Shirley Horn, he is also appreciated as a powerful and sensitive instrumentalist.
He pursues his music career with his own quintet, promoting original compositions by the band members. His first album as the leader of New Incentive was released in January 2007. The musicians are: Olivier Hutman (p), Michael Bowie (b), Donvonte McCoy (t), and Antoine Roney (s). John Hicks, Gary Bartz and Roy Hargrove are guests.
New Incentive
Henri Marchal in La Semaine des Spectacles January 24, 2007
Jacques Aboucaya Jazz Magazine February 2007
Other reviews
Chuck Obuchowski Hartford Courant -May 10, 2009 referring to a performance with the Joe Lovano Nonet.