2nd July 2013: Review from Jazzwise, The Jazz World, O’s Place, Stone Tempest PLUS Mention in Modern Drummer for recent release ‘The Listener’ by Jeff Williams –
Jeff Williams, a drummer who’s career has spanned four decades and has performed with a vast array of leading jazz musicians (including Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman and Lookout Farm, Joe Lovano, Paul Bley, Bill McHenry, Ethan Iverson, Tony Malaby, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Lee Konitz, Phil Robson, Martin Speake, Bobo Stenson and many more) last month released his second album on WWR – The Listener. The album has already had many great reviews with even more today from Jazzwise, O’s Place, The Jazz World, Step Tempest and a mention in Modern Drummer.
The Step Tempest say that “The Listener is filled with long stretches of rewarding moments, from the interplay of a snappy rhythm to heartfelt ballads” and noted by The Jazz World as an “exhilarating live set.”
Below we have featured an excerpt from O’s Place:
“Drummer Jeff Williams leads a quartet sans piano with Duane Eubanks (t), John O’Gallagher (sax) and John Hebert (b). Williams splits time between New York and London and decided to bring his NY-based quartet to London for a tour. The Listener is a live set at The Vortex Jazz Club during May 2012. They play eight songs, four written by Williams, two from Eubanks, one by Hebert and a cover. Jeff sticks to his mantra of playing within the music, not over thinking what to play. Herbert does a fine job leading the melodies on several tracks. Never let an ocean prevent sharing of the hard bop/free jazz movement!”