JUN 7-17 | 40TH ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ FESTIVAL
Jun 16, 2023
Joe Henderson
PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production
Please visit our calendar for all upcoming SFJAZZ shows.
Original show description below.
Known widely as the GRAMMY-winning bassist with the Pat Metheny Unity Band and winner of the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition, Ben Williams steps out as a leader and makes his Joe Henderson Lab debut with music from his new album I AM A MAN.
A Washington DC native, Williams is one of the jazz world’s first-call bass masters, boasting a résumé that includes scintillating work with Metheny, Robert Glasper, Wynton Marsalis, Lauren Hill, Stefon Harris, and Nicholas Payton.
His 2009 Thelonious Monk win led directly to a recording contract with Concord Records, who released his stunning debut State of the Art with his band Sound Effect in 2011 — an acclaimed recording that resulted in Williams being named iTunes Breakthrough Artist of the Year in the jazz category.
I AM A MAN is a departure that the bassist and vocalist feels expresses his true voice — an amalgam of jazz with soul and R&B that takes its inspiration from the social and political upheaval of the 1960s. Released on vocalist José James’ Rainbow Blonde label, the album takes its title from the signs held by sanitation workers during their historic Memphis strike in 1968 just before the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and is intended to, in Williams’ words, “show the world the complexity of our humanity as Black American men.”
The award-winning bassist known for work with Pat Metheny and Robert Glasper performs from his album I Am A Man.
Ben Williams has a dark, righteous sound on an upright bass, and an almost liquid mobility through the fullness of his range.
The New York Times
Ben Williams has a dark, righteous sound on an upright bass, and an almost liquid mobility through the fullness of his range.
The New York Times
Personnel
Ben Williams bass, vocals
Chelsea Baratz saxophone
Andrew Renfroe guitar
J Don drums
Syndee Winters vocals
As well as being a gifted bassist and guitarist, Williams seems to be that shining star around which people orbit.
All About Jazz
Personnel
Ben Williams bass, vocals
Chelsea Baratz saxophone
Andrew Renfroe guitar
J Don drums
Syndee Winters vocals
As well as being a gifted bassist and guitarist, Williams seems to be that shining star around which people orbit.
All About Jazz
Watch & Listen
Ben Williams
March On
Ben Williams
The Death of Emmett Till
Ben Williams
March On
Ben Williams
The Death of Emmett Till