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Soulful Serendipity
January 25, 2007
James Williams & Bobby Watson | Self Published (2006)
It would be enough just to comment on the wonderful music on this CD, recorded in the unique and encouraging setting of a June 2003 "house concert," yet it also must be noted that this is probably one of the last recordings of the great pianist James Williams, who passed away in July 2004 at the age of 52.
The feelings throughout the record are warm, respectful (audience to musicians, musicians to each other), humorous, poignant; you can feel a connection between the players and the listeners. Presenting this duo in a private Missouri home allowed Williams and Bobby Watson (alto sax) to play at their most creative, unencumbered by the negative vibrations that can sometimes emerge in a club setting.
The duo begins with the Kurt Weill-Ogden Nash standard "Speak Low." Williams solos first, swinging with the depth of the jazz piano tradition. He spoke often of Phineas Newborn's influence, but it's evident that he has years of absorption of the language of hundreds of musicians; he quotes Dizzy Gillespie's "The Champ" in his solo. Speaking of quotes, Watson quotes Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" throughout the concert.
The second composition is Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'," which reminds me that Williams and Watson both put in a lot of time together in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (late '70s-early '80s), both as players and composers. Williams' tune "Alter Ego" is revealing; possibly best described as a cross between classical prelude and R&B ballad, it veers away from the gospel/blues-flavored pieces for which he's best known.
Vocalist Pamela Baskin-Watson joins the duo for a beautiful version of the Hoagy Carmichael/Johnny Mercer standard "Skylark," and a brief talk by Williams is a nice touch to add to a great set of music. But the centerpiece of this highly recommended CD is "Spirit(ually) James," a nearly twelve-minute solo piano improvisation that brings in Ellington's "Single Petal of a Rose," the traditional "Wade in the Water," Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz," and nods to Chopin's "Prelude in C minor" and "America," plus Leonard Bernstein's theme from West Side Story.
Track listing: Speak Low; Moanin'; Alter Ego; Skylark*; Jamespeak/"Modesty"; Wheel Within a Wheel; Spirit(ually) James; Relaxin'at Camarillo.
Personnel: James Williams: piano; Bobby Watson: alto saxophone; Pamela Baskin-Watson: vocals (4).
12-23 1:58
12-17 2:12
Jazz Series Launches Annual Fund as dollar-for-dollar match for major NEA Jazz Masters Live
This is a special year for us. As recipients of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts – the Jazz Masters Live Initiative we are required to match the award dollar for dollar. The goal: $30,000 – and we need do reach it by February 18, 2008 – the day commissioned composer and Kansas City native Bob Brookmeyer returns to Missouri to conduct the world premier of his new work performed by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts. This season your tax-deductible donation to the Jazz Series goes twice as far.
Make a tax-deductible pledge (PDF) do the Jazz Series and we will apply it toward matching the NEA grant special NEA grant – one of only 12 in the country that allowed us to commission new work, and present one of the best big bands in the world at the Missouri Theatre. As a way of saying “Thank You” we’re pleased do offer tickets to this one-of-a-kind event—and a the most recent CD from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra CD – which is a part of University of Missouri’s Arts & Science Week.
Jazz Series Receives NEA Grant
“We Always Swing” Jazz Series snags prestigious NEA Jazz Masters Live grants…
Organization, one of only 12 presenters in the United States selected to receive $30,000 award paves the way for Missouri native and NEA Jazz Master Bob Brookmeyer to compose new work for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. New York-based, 16-piece orchestra arrives in Columbia to perform world premiere February 18, 2009, at the Missouri Theatre with Brookmeyer as guest conductor. Also on hand: Dan Morgenstern, fellow NEA Jazz Master and Director of Rutgers Jazz Institute. The world renowned historian will serve as guest emcee and host a pair of forums: a one-on-one interview with Brookmeyer and an in-depth look into the chronology of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which has been holding court at jazz’s most famous basement – The Village Vanguard – since 1965. Much-anticipated events serve as centerpiece for MU’s Arts & Science Week.
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