Los Angeles CA June, 14th, 2021 - Los Angeles native, drummer, band leader and jazz performance promoter Al Williams Jazz Society has released Then & Now a collection of jazz tunes in all their rhythms!
Al Williams started out studying clarinet at age 8 and continuing on playing in various high school bands.
It was at the age of 17 that Al convinced his parents to let him pursue his interest in playing drums and the rest is rhythmic history!
In college Al Williams organized his first band, The Modern Jazz Majors, and their performances at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach launched him into the beginnings of a music career.
Al's ability to play a variety of styles whether it's bebop, blues, funk, Latin, smooth or straight head jazz, has afforded him the opportunity to play and record with the tops in jazz!
His recording and/or touring experience includes work with jazz greats, Hampton Hawes (Something Special), Leroy Vinnegar (The Kid), Teddy Edwards, Willie Bobo, Kenny Burrell, Eddie Harris, Poncho Sanchez, Freddie Hubbard, Sarah Vaughn, Roy Ayers, Blue Mitchell, Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Williams and Terry Gibbs as well as Conti Condoli, Jack Sheldon, Junior Cook and Lorez Alexandria. On a more bluesy note, he has kept time for Jimmy Witherspoon, Lowell Folsom, Ernie Andrews and Barbara Morrison!
It's all this vast experience that has apply pre-paired Al Williams Jazz Society to record as a leader, Sandance, Let’s Celebrate, Meeting at the Crossroads and Something to Groove By!
He has just released the new CD Then & Now a 10 tune set in which 8 of those are original's. Al Williams Jazz Society consist of Ron Kobayashi, keyboards, George Shaw, trumpet and flugel horn, Doug Webb tenor and soprano saxophones, Tony Poingsett, percussion. Additionally Los Angeles based bass great Henry Franklin!
On track 9 Sandy Smiles, named as a result of Al's wife Sandy entering their rehearsal "and started moving to the music with a smile. We knew then this one had to be Sandy Smiles" says Al! Dave Bradshaw sits in on keyboards and Nedra Wheeler is on bass!
Rounding out the musicians is special guest Najee on Little Sunflower as Al Williams adds "when I called Najee he was more than happy to join us! His monstrous counter melody adds a new unique dimension"!
On track 1 from the beginning Society Al will put you in mind of the great Eddie Harris and for a good reason as Al continues "the groove reflects my days of playing with Eddie Harris"! Well done groove makers.
Track 2 brings us to The Chant. Quite often when we hear the horn section like this its a reminder of the great Art Blakey groups. That's true here as well, the epitome of post bop! Great soloing is abound here!
With track 3, The Greatest Love Of All/Hero, who would have thought you could create a melody of these two great soul classics for the jazz lovers? Well Al Williams did and the result is as rich and love filled as the soul original's!
What a great segue from the classic soul sound to track 4, Funky Lou. A nod to the funky side of Lou Donaldson! Another well done!
Up next, track 6 is another soul classic becoming new again with Everything Must Change, which is followed by track 7, Desert Trippin. Although an original it's rich in the soul groove of jazz which seems to be a favorite of Al Williams!
About track 8 Al says "I wrote this for my mentor the great Art Blakey. This song is a tribute to his greatness!
The set ends up with Sandance a tune recorded with the great bassist LeRoy Vinnegar! As Al concludes "this is a friendship that goes back many years. This was recorded live at Sandance in Belmont Shore, Long Beach California I wanted to close the CD with something upbeat"!
Mission accomplished and already looking to hear the next one!
To preview and purchase visit the music world of Al Williams Jazz Society here!
