Ben Williams (musician)

Ben Williams (born December 28, 1984, Washington, D.C.) is an American jazz bassist.

Biography

Ben Williams began playing bass at age 10, was raised in the District of Columbia, and graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School.

In 2009 he won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition as judged by Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Dave Holland, Robert Hurst, Christian McBride, and John Patitucci.[1] The honor included a recording contract with Concord Records through which he released his debut album, State of Art, in 2011, featuring saxophonist Marcus Strickland, guitarist Matthew Stevens, pianist Gerald Clayton, drummer Jamire Williams, and percussionist Etienne Charles. His sophomore effort, Coming of Age, was released in April of 2015 featuring sidemen Marcus Strickland on tenor and soprano saxophones, Matthew Stevens on electric guitar, Christian Sands on piano, and John Davis on drums.[2]

Williams is a member of guitarist Pat Metheny’s Unity Band which released an eponymous album in 2012 for which it was awarded the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.[3] He appears with actor Don Cheadle in the forthcoming film about jazz legend Miles Davis, Miles Ahead.

Discography

As leader

Year recorded Title Label Personnel/Notes
2011 State of Art Concord Records Quintet, with Marcus Strickland (saxophone), Matthew Stevens (guitar), Gerald Clayton (piano), Etienne Charles (percussion), and Jamire Williams (drums)
2015 Coming of Age Concord Records Quintet, with Marcus Strickland (tenor and soprano saxophones), Matthew Stevens (electric guitar), Christian Sands (piano), and John Davis (drums)

As sideman

Year recorded Leader Title Label
2009 Harris, StefonStefon Harris Urbanus Concord Records
2012 Metheny, PatPat Metheny Unity Group Concord Records

References

  1. ↑ "Past Winners and Judges - Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz". Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/21/arts/review-ben-williams-sturdily-steps-up-on-coming-of-age.html
  3. ↑ "Ben Williams And Pat Metheny". The GRAMMYs. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
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