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Claude Williamson 1926 - 2016


duaneiac

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I read via a West Coast Jazz message group that pianist Claude Williamson has passed away.  The message said his son confirmed that he passed away July 16.  He had been in a nursing home since suffering a broken hip last year.

He recorded albums as a leader as well as playing on albums by Chet Baker, Bud Shank, Barney Kessel, the Lighthouse All Stars and many others.

May he Rest In Peace.

Edited by duaneiac
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1 hour ago, mikeweil said:

R.I.P.

I bought the Affinity LP reissues of his Capitol LPs many years ago and liked them a lot, great Bud Powell inspired bebop piano. 

+1

And his records for Bethlehem, Contract and Criterion are very nice too. Bud Powell-inspired - yes, but no clone. There was more to him.

 

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1 hour ago, Peter Friedman said:

Claude Williamson became a favorite in Japan. He made a lengthy list of recordings for Venus and other labels.

And I just pulled the trigger on copies of Blue Minor, his tribute to Sonny Clark, and Song for My Father, too. Blue Minor piqued my interest and I was amused to see that a Google search brought me right back here:

 

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4 hours ago, Big Beat Steve said:

+1

And his records for Bethlehem, Contract and Criterion are very nice too. Bud Powell-inspired - yes, but no clone. There was more to him.

 

Didin't mean to say he was a clone - quite the contary. Compared to other West Coast based pianists he was a bit overlooked, methinks ...

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Sorry to read this. Glad I was able to catch a solo piano recital by Claude Williamson at an open air event about 20 years ago though. It was a very impressive performance. RIP and thanks for that.

Interesting the comment above about him being a bit overlooked. The performance I saw was a bit low-key but there was no doubting the quality of the playing.

Edited by sidewinder
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Williamson made three trio records with Sam Jones and Roy Haynes for Interplay Records. Quite the rhythm team!

I know and can recommend one of them: La Fiesta (1979).  This LP was also reissued on Discovery.

CW_LaFiesta.png

 

I haven't heard the others -- New Departure (1978) and Blues in Front (1978) -- but I bet they're good too. I plan to get 'round to them eventually.

CW_NewDeparture.png  CW_BluesinFront.png

Edited by HutchFan
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I'm mainly familiar with Claude Williamson through the flawless Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges album, but he is all over the Cooper, Holman and Rosolino Mosaic, which I need to pull out.  I'll be picking up more of his work soon, as I have none of his leader dates.  Thank you for the music, Mr. Williamson, and rest in peace.

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