People, Locations, Episodes

Tony Williams, Drummer born.

Tony Williams

Tony Williams, a Black drummer, was born on this date in 1945.

Born in Chicago, his family moved to Boston when he was about 2. By age 15, he was an active freelance musician in Boston, largely thanks to his musician father, who exposed him to the club and music scene early on. He studied with Alan Dawson and played with Max Roach and Art Blakey while still young. Appearing on the jazz scene in the early 1960s, first with Sam Rivers and then with Jackie McLean, the young drummer's impact was immediate.

His solos and drop-time accompaniment were revolutionary departures from idol Max Roach's approach to percussion and everyone else who'd ever played. A frenetic yet delicate player, Williams’ early style was characterized by blinding speed and an acute sense for hearing what everyone else was playing. He would eventually import more bulk to his set, emphasizing volume and impact more than pure talent. Through his association with McLean, he met and, in May 1963, joined Miles Davis in a life-changing career move.

During his brilliant six-year stint with Davis' quintet, Williams also recorded with many others and released two albums of his own, "Lifetime," 1964, and "Spring," 1965, both Blue Note. These albums were critically praised and were the first avant-garde albums for the label. By 1969, Williams formed his seminal electric band, Lifetime, with John McLaughlin and Larry Young. During the 1970s, he founded different electric groups, was a member of V.S.O.P.--the jazz band with former Davis band-mates Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Wayne Shorter, and played with various others.

In the 1980s, Williams formed his last great band, playing acoustic, straight-ahead jazz for Blue Note and recording in several settings that emphasized his diverse tastes. Williams' musical life also included work as a composer, a talent he displayed with great flair throughout his career. He was developing composition further at the time of his sudden death on February 23, 1997.

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