Search the Community

There doesn't appear to be a thread dedicated to the great bassist Buster Williams, so I've decided to start one. Over the last month or two, I've been on a big Buster kick, listening to his recordings both as a leader and sideman. He's got such an immaculate swing feeling. And that totally distinctive tone! Whenever Buster appears on a record, he elevates those around him. Just for kicks, I compiled a list of some of my favorite records that feature Buster in a sideman role. Here it is, in no particular order: Chet Baker - Peace (Enja) Herbie Hancock - Mwandishi (Warner Brothers) Kenny Barron - Golden Lotus (Muse) Norman Connors - Love from the Sun (Buddah) Sonny Fortune - Waves of Dreams (A&M/Horizon) Buck Hill - Scope (SteepleChase) Shirley Horn - A Lazy Afternoon (SteepleChase) Bobby Hutcherson - Farewell Keystone (Theresa/Evidence) Buddy Terry - Pure Dynamite (Mainstream) McCoy Tyner - Sama Layuca (Milestone) Bill Barron - Jazz Caper (Muse) Franco Ambrosetti - Wings (Enja) Stanley Cowell - We Three (DIW) Joe Farrell - Outback (CTI) Chico Freeman - Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit (Contemporary) Carlos Garnett - Black Love (Muse) Freddie Hubbard - Outpost (Enja) Eric Kloss - Essence (Muse) Charles Sullivan - Re-Entry (WhyNot) James Williams - The Arioso Touch (Concord) Larry Willis - The Big Push (HighNote) Denny Zeitlin - Slick Rock (MAXJAZZ) Sonny Simmons & Prince Lasha - Firebirds (Contemporary) Harold Land - The Peace-Maker (Cadet) Woody Shaw - Woody III (Columbia) Jimmie Rowles - Grandpaws (Choice) Bennie Maupin - The Jewel in the Lotus (ECM) Hilton Ruiz - Piano Man (SteepleChase) Mary Lou Williams - Free Spirits (SteepleChase) Ron Carter - Piccolo (Milestone) Black Renaissance - Body, Mind and Spirit (Baystate/Luv N' Haight) Cedar Walton - Among Friends (Theresa/Evidence) Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya - African River (Enja) Donald Brown - Sources of Inspiration (Muse) Gary Bartz - Episode 1: Children Of Harlem (Challenge) Geri Allen - The Gathering (Verve) Steve Kuhn - Love Walked In (Venus/Sunnyside) Steve Turre - Lotus Flower (Verve) Jeff Lederer - Sunwatcher (Jazzheads) Also, this morning, Ethan Iverson posted a message about Buster on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/iverson/p/buster-williams-in-the-news?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email Iverson extensively quotes drummer Billy Hart's take on Buster. Fascinating reading! So do you enjoy Buster's playing? If so, what are your favorite recordings -- either as a leader or sideman? Concerts? Interactions? Let's discuss Buster!

I've really been enjoying Bill Dixon lately, in particular, the use of 2 bassists on LPs like Thoughts and November 1981. Love the depth of sound it creates. Picked up the Complete Black Lion and Soul Note box, which is amazing. Wondering if fellow members could suggest a few artists utilizing multiple bassists in a similar fashion (understanding that there was only one Bill Dixon). Thanks in advance.