Eddie Williams Quartet
Hang Time
© 2001 Eddie Williams Quartet
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
Soulful, groovin', boppin' jazz saxophone goodness.
tracks
- 1 Hang Time
- 2 Hip-No -Tic
- 3 Sylvan Vale
- 4 Katherine
- 5 J.C. (for John Candy)
- 6 Vicious Cycle
- 7 Karen Marie
- 8 Testify
- 9 Invitation
- 10 Wind of the Spirit
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Eddie Williams
was born in Newport News, Virginia. At the age of seven, his family picked up and headed for Dandy, Virginia. Dandy is a small fishing community located on the York River just south of Yorktown, Virginia.
On one not so particularly different day in Eddie's sixth grade English class, he was given the opportunity to escape. Over the load speaker a voice echoed "all students that are interested in signing up for band, please report to room 228." In the words of Eddie Williams: "I'm outa here"
Mr. Sims, the 6th grade band director was assigning instruments to the students. "How many students are interested in playing drums?" he asked. I think all hands went up in the room. Unfortunately, it was not a percussion ensemble. To cut to the chase, Eddie ended up with a shiny, new Tenor saxophone. At first inspection, there seemed to be more keys on the sax than fingers on the hand. Practice, practice, practice!
The saxophone became a true friend and vehicle for expression. Eddie ended up playing in the concert band and jazz ensembles until graduating from York High School in 1973. The pinnacle of Eddie's high school experience was a trip to the Montreux Jazz Festival. The York High School Jazz Ensemble placed second in the competition and was a great experience for the young musicians.
After graduating from High School Eddie made his way to Boston to study at Berklee School of Music. "This is where I really learned to play." Eddie studied with saxophonist, Andy McGhee and Doug Norwine. Eddie returned to the Hampton Roads Area to begin playing and traveling with different groups.
The first group was a band called Nite Flight. This was a group of friends from Berklee and was a great band for its time. Some of the other local groups were: Little Big Band, Gable, Power Play, Snap Band, Bill Deal & the Rhondells and Pocket Edition, just to name a few.
In 1979, Eddie was asked to join Cincinnati based vocalist, Jeanine Marie. The band was based in Las Vegas and played Los Angeles and Atlantic City, NJ. Jeanine would open for people like Bill Cosby, Rich Little, and George Carlin. Eddie also conducted the Jerry Lewis Telethon Orchestra with Jeanine Marie during this period.
In 1982, Eddie returned to Norfolk, Virginia to continue his education. He spent three years at Norfolk State University studying and working towards a degree in Music Media. It was after this time that Eddie formed his first group as a leader. "Eddie and the New Band". This was a very popular band that played a lot of different types of music. (Steely Dan, David Sanborn, Mike Brecker, Joe Williams and some original music)
After the New Band broke up, Eddie joined up with the Richmond based "Secrets" In the group Secrets he recorded the CD "Nine Sharp" which featured some of Eddie's earliest compositions. He also got to play with drummer Carter Beauford, drummer with Dave Matthews.
After Secrets disbanded, Eddie focused most of his energies toward education. Eddie Williams was a teacher for the Governor's School for the Arts for 10 years. He also taught improvisation at Norfolk State University.
Over the last 10 or so years, Eddie has been focusing more on acoustic and more traditional jazz. Performing with talented pianist, John Toomey in many different settings.
Eddie has performed with: Gladys Knight, Ben Vereen, Randy Brecker, Burt Bacharach and Rick Margitza, to name a few. Recently, Eddie can be heard on "Special Ones" - Co-op Venture, "Intersection" - featuring Laura Martier w/ the John Toomey Quintet, "Live at Abbey Road" - Karl Werne and Eddie Williams, "Live Simple, Breath Deep" - ELK, and "Hang Time" - The Eddie Williams Quartet.
"Listen to Music, you'll live longer." - Eddie
"Hang Time" - Hot off the presses this week, just in time for the CD-release party at the Chrysler Museum of Art on Wednesday, is "Hang Time", Eddie Williams' first solo project. Backing him on the album, is pianist, John Toomey, drummer Rich Mossman and bassist Chris Brydge.
Each is given a chance to shine. On the slow, reflective "Sylvan Vale" for example, Brydge and Toomey both bring off beautifully lyrical solos. This particular cut also finds Williams at his best; his tone is full, rich and powerful as he floats through the melody.(The sense of suspension gives the album title new meaning) as strong as his voice is, however, his playing never seems heavy-handed or showy. Through-out the album, he displays great sensitivity to the nuances of the music. This, of course, is why he is in great demand as a sideman. But he should be encouraged to pursue more solo projects as well.
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Proof that God works...
author: Ellen WilliamsI have had but a small taste of this work...I am now starving for more! Bravo!!!!