JAMES WILLIAMS”Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Forty-Two”Concord Jazz*...

JAMES WILLIAMS

“Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Forty-Two”

Concord Jazz

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The Memphis-born Williams, who spent the latter ‘70s as the pianist in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, is the consummate team player. His Magical Trio recordings on the Emarcy label, which included bassist Ray Brown and drummers Blakey and Elvin Jones, helped focus attention on his expansive style and composing skills. This solo collection of standards and spirituals brings his style, with its strong R&B; and gospel roots, into further focus.

Williams displays a deep understanding of the jazz piano tradition as he plays with the grace of Red Garland and the rhythmic intensity of Ahmad Jamal. A handful of signature traits, including a tendency to pause a moment before progressing to a theme’s next obvious note, gives character to his play.

Williams has a very relaxed, lush way with a ballad, and his arrangements of such well-worn vehicles as Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” and Thelonious Monk’s “ ‘Round Midnight” reflect his personality as well as the composer’s. Though the album lacks examples of Williams’ own compositions, it gives a good view of his style. One of the 10 best in Concord’s distinguished Maybeck series.

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