Introduction
Over half a million African men, women, and children came to the United States via the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade in the early part of the 16th century. Despite the horrific circumstances, the majority of the slaves, who mainly came from the West Coast of Africa, strongly adhered to their ancestral musical traditions. It is from this pedigree, that Jazz, an original American musical art form, has its origin. Characterized by a convergence of African as well as European ethnicities, some of the exhilarating components which comprise Jazz are improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, etc. Jazz is a rendition of classical music with African American essence. The depths of its development and popularity commenced at the beginning of the 20th century, with African American influences in New Orleans music at the forefront. As it was at its inception, so it remains today a unique form of musical entertainment.
Main body
One of the latest in a cadre of the artist to epitomize the “new jazz age,” is young Grammy-nominated, alto saxophonist – Bruce Williams. A native of Washington, D.C., his full name is Bruce Kevin Williams. He graduated from the University of the District of Colombia, where he was the recipient of a full music scholarship, and continued his studies at William Patterson College in Wayne, New Jersey. Williams’s teaching resume, impressive and extensive, includes Adjunct Saxophone Instructor/Bloomfield College (New Jersey), Saxophone clinician/New Brunswick Jazz Institute Adjunct Saxophone Instructor/ Bloomfield College, and Substitute Adjunct/William Patterson College. A distinguished jazz educator and mentor to young jazz musicians, he has taught private saxophone lessons in Washington, D.C., New York, and New Jersey metropolitan areas since 1986. In 1993 he won First Place in DownBeat Magazine Student Awards as well as second runner-up in the Music & More Charlie Parker Awards. Some of the most acclaimed artists in the genre have mentored Williams – Frank Foster, Branford Marsalis, Joe Ford, Laura George, William Shadle, Oliver Lake, Cecil Brooks II, to name a few.
His performing pedigree is equally impressive. Williams is the youngest and latest addition to the internationally acclaimed World Saxophone Quartet as well the new “Thelonious Monk Legacy Septet” founded by legendary drummer, Ben Riley. He leads four bands of his own which comprise a progressive electric jazz group, a quartet, quintet, and organ trio. He has appeared with Brandford Marsalis, Stanley Turrentine, McCoy Tyner, The Count Basie Orchestra, Cecil Brooks Stanley Cowell, and Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Big Band.
His style is versatile – “tradition in transition”- traversing from hip hop to conventional to avant-garde and is often described as invigorating and even “fiery.” Williams’ CDs, Brotherhood, and Altoicity (Savant Records) have garnered him much enthusiasm and critical praise. Altoicity features his rendition of popular songs,” East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)”, “Elijah Blue”, “Sophisticated Lady”, and “You Are So Beautiful.” They emanate his skill of composition, improvisation, and creativity. His sense of jazz and blues compounded with his skill surpasses his age thereby making him in a league of his own. Williams is a “consolidation” for his skill emulates Hank Crawford’s agility, Charlie Parker’s buoyant tone, and Hank Crawford’s edge. According to Branford Marsalis – Tenor Saxophonist and Jazz Innovator – “Bruce Williams is a part of the next wave of young jazz prodigies exhibiting soul and virtuosity.” Without a doubt, his sound will be one of the precursors to 21’st century jazz.
Bibliography
- Kirchner, Bill. The Oxford Companion to Jazz: Oxford University Press, 2005, Chapter 2.
- Shipton, Alyn. A New History of Jazz: 2nd. ed., Continuum, 2007, pp. 4–5.
- Bruce Williams.