Jeff Williams was born in Oberlin, Ohio and began drumming at the age of eight. He was self-taught and used his parents’ jazz recordings collection as a guide. At fourteen, he began playing with local professionals. Ann Williams, Jeff’s mother, moved to New York when he was nine to pursue a career in jazz singing. She introduced him to many musicians who would become his mentors, such as Jo Jones, Herb Lovelle and Elvin Jones. In 1967, Jeff recorded his debut album with the psychedelic band Ant Trip Ceremony (Cicadelic). In 1968, Jeff entered Berklee College of Music to study drumming under Alan Dawson. He moved to New York in 1971 and quickly became friends with Richie Beirach and Dave Liebman. They would later form Lookout Farm. Stan Getz invited Jeff to join him for a two year stay. The group included Dave Holland, Hal Galper, Beirach and Albert Daily. The same year, he appeared on the Half Note with Lee Konitz. This began a long-lasting association. Jeff recorded Friends (Oblivion), in 1972, with Marc Cohen (now Copland), John Abercrombie and Clint Houston. After the 1973 recording of Lookout Farm, Jeff toured Europe, Asia and the US, while also taking part in numerous subsequent recordings, until the group’s dissolution in 1976. The remainder of the 1970s Jeff worked as a freelancer in New York. He accompanied such artists as Joe Farrell and Frank Foster as well as George Coleman and Ted Curson. He also performed with a group that featured John Scofield. Jeff moved to Boston after a one year hiatus in Maine. Jeff was able to take part in the creation of a jazz series at Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Club, while he continued his studies with Alan Dawson. He was accompanied by Cedar Walton and Lee Konitz, Milt hinton, (saxophonist), Bill Evans, John Scofield, Miroslav Vitous, and Milt Hinton. Jeff recorded and performed with Jerry Bergonzi’s quartet Con Brio from ’83 to 1986. After returning to New York in 1983, Jeff formed Interplay with Peter Madsen, Anthony Cox and toured Japan with Marc Johnson and Sakurako Ogyu. He also performed with Randy Brecker/John Abercrombie and Michel Petrucciani. Stan Getz was his partner, and Interplay’s rhythm section joined him. Kenny Barron replaced Madsen. Bar Room 432 in New York’s meatpacking district was where Jeff established a music policy. He led a trio of musicians with Scott Colley, Ben Monder, and Joe Lovano. In 1989, Frank Kimbrough released the first Jeff Williams composition on Mapleshade’s Lonely Woman. The composition Northwest also appears on Larry Willis’ recording How Do You Keep The Music Going? (SteepleChase). Jeff started writing music for his own ensembles around the mid-80s. He recorded Quartet (unreleased), in 1989 with Patrick Zimmerli and Kevin Hays. The ensemble was expanded to a quintet by the addition of Tim Ries and Doug Weiss. In 1991, they released two albums, both entirely composed of original compositions: Coalescence in 1992 (SteepleChase), and Jazzblues in 1999 (Cathexis). Other activities Jeff had in the nineties included performances in the US, Europe Brazil, Argentina, and various recordings with Lee Konitz. He also toured Europe with Joe Lovano and Tom Harrell and performed with Lovano’s Universal Language sextet on several trips to Europe and the US. Jeff performed with Circadian Rhythms with Tony Malaby, Michael Formanek and Reid Anderson. In 2000, Live At Smalls was recorded by Fresh Sound/New Talent. McHenry’s Sonic Pressure was released in 2005. In 2001, Jeff toured Europe together with Paul Bley. Jeff splits his time between New York City and London for the past ten years. He has toured the UK together with Bill McHenry (2006), Lee Konitz (2006) and Dave Liebman (in a group co-led by Phil Robson, a British guitarist–2008-09). In support of Speake’s Change of Heart (ECM), Jeff performed in Britain with Martin Speake, saxophonist, and Bobo Stenson. In the UK, he has performed with Nikki Iles and Hans Koller’s group (with guest soloists Kenny Wheeler and Bob Brookmeyer), Christine Tobin and Bobby Wellins. A 50-date tour with Martin Speak, Mike Outram, along with additional touring with John O’Gallagher and Francois Theberge and Sam Lasserson was his most recent activity. Olie Brice, bassist, organized a reunion tour of Tony Malaby with him. Jeff’s most recent recordings include Richard Sussman, which features Randy Brecker, Jerry Bergonzi (Origin), Hans Koller (psi), Martin Speake at Riverhouse (Pumpkin), Always a First Time, and Martin Speake (Pumpkin), Nikki Iles Hush, (Basho), Mike Gibbs Twelve play Gil Evans, Lee Konitz and Dan Tepfer. Jeff’s current quartet, comprised of Duane Ebanks, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John Hebert) are currently based in New York, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John O’Ga, John O’Gallagher, John O’Gallagher, John Hebert, John Hebert, John Hebert, John Hebert, John Hebert, John Hebert, John Hebert The Listener, a live recording taken at London’s Vortex, was recorded by the group in 2012. Jeff’s UK Quintet (Finn Peters -alto saxophone u0026 flute, Josh Arcoleo -tenor Saxophone, Phil Robson -guitar, Sam Lasserson – bass) has been recorded live at Amazonas Jazz Festival July 2013 and has performed at London Jazz Festival three times in a row. The CD Concert In The Amazon is limited edition and available only at live performances. Jeff is available for private instruction and has also given master classes, directed ensembles, and taken one-on-one drum instruction at The New School and Long Island University. He currently teaches at Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Academy Of Music in the UK. “I have known Jeff Williams since the 1970s as both a musician, and as a friend. His vast experience is impressive and extremely deep. All jazz students should have the opportunity to experience his unique spirit. “-Dave Liebman Jeff Williams, a Zildjian artist on www.willfulmusic.com
