6th May 2013: BIG NEWS: WWR Artist Jeff Williams to release his second album ‘The Listener’ worldwide on June 4th

The Listener from Jeff Williams, out on June 4th worldwide. Featuring Jeff Williams – Drums, Duane Eubanks – Trumpet,
John O’ Gallagher – Alto Saxophone, John Hébert – Double Bass

Whirlwind Recordings is elated to announce the second release from legendary drummer Jeff Williams, whose career has spanned over four decades performing at the vanguard of jazz music. As a result of the worldwide critical acclaim (from fans, musicians and critics alike) from his debut WWR release Another Time (which received ‘Album of the Year for 2011’ by UK Jazz Radio, ‘Top 10 CDs Critics’ List from All About Jazz and was among Downbeat Magazines’ Best Albums of 2012), it was only natural to follow up with a live recording to document the ensuing development of his working group which features three of NYC’s greatest improvisers in Duane Eubanks on Trumpet, John O’Gallagher on Alto Saxophone and John Hébert on Double Bass.

The opportunity for this special live recording arose during a tour of the United Kingdom in May of 2012. Following a performance at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Jeff’s quartet next appeared at the Vortex Jazz Club in London (appropriately known as ‘London’s Listening Jazz Club’), recording equipment at the ready to intimately capture the evening. The Listener, with its unusual cover photo taken by Jeff, is dedicated with gratitude to those who were present, those who will hear the album, as well as to the premise that meaningful improvisation requires deep listening among the musicians. The selections include material new to the group, live versions of compositions from Another Time and, as an encore, the standard, ‘Dedicated To You’.

Over the last five years the quartet has appeared in various New York venues, most often at Smalls Jazz Club, where the group’s performances are archived as bootlegs. It is therefore very fitting to be able to present Jeff’s group properly recorded and documented in their comfortable surroundings of the live concert, which is where this band thrives. The Jeff Williams Quartet continues to build upon past achievements with The Listener being a prime example of what lies ahead.

Visit The Listener album page by clicking here to listen to preview tracks from the album and learn more.