Saturday 21st May 2022, 17:00 CET – House of Hard Bop. The fourth and last episode devoted to drummer Tony Williams. In the 90’s he led a quintet with among others pianist Mulgrew Miller and bass Ira Coleman. These two musicians also made a trio album in 96. Not long afterwards Williams passed away.
On the quintet album from 1991, The Story Of Neptune, two brass players are featured: trumpeter Wallace Roney and Bill Pierce on sax. The title piece, like most other compositions, is by Williams, and is in three parts. In particular the first and third are bursting with energy. That’s also the case with Crime Scene. And for the blues Birdlike – by Freddie Hubbard – you have to hang on to your hat. Birdlike begins with the solos and ends with the theme – that’s also possible.
And of course the attention the drummer commands for himself doesn’t disappoint. What drive!
In 1996 we hear Williams, also with Miller and Coleman, now as a trio. We hear two pieces from the album Young At Heart , including How My Heart Sings. This was first recorded by pianist Bill Evans – in 1962 – and never left his repertoire . It’s by Earl Zindars. Brilliant music with high quality melodies, in which 3/4 and 4/4 time follow one another in a most subtle way, so subtle you barely notice.
(Quite shortly after recording Young At Heart – with How My Heart Sings – Williams passed away from a heart attack.)
House of Hard Bop – a programme by hardbopdrummer Eric Ineke
