Steve Williams (jazz drummer)
| Steve Williams | |
|---|---|
Williams in New York City, 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stephen Edward Williams |
| Born |
January 7, 1956 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Labels | Elabeth |
| Associated acts | Shirley Horn |
| Website | www |
Stephen Edward Williams (born January 7, 1956) is an Americanjazz drummer. For twenty-five years he collaborated with jazz singer Shirley Horn.
Williams was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in Washington, D.C. He went to the University of Miami, where he joined Monty Alexander's band, with whom he started to perform on the internationally. He furthered his music education in New York, with Billy Hart.
Williams played in Washington with Milt Jackson, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Williams, Woody Shaw, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Larry Willis, and Mulgrew Miller. 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 gave 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.
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