Thomas/Tom/Tommy Williams

[EKE BBB]

Listening to Antonio Hart´s "For the first time" (1991) I found this trumpeter playing nicely on three tracks. I really enjoyed his playing, specially in Sam Jones´ original "Del Sasser".

From the liner notes:

... this track ("Del Sasser") introduces trumpeter Thomas Williams, another Baltimore native, who demonstrates tremendous flexibility and imagination as well as great taste; he plainly has plenty of technique, but he uses it with a fine discretion. This set should introduce him to the wide audience he deserves. He is also heard on the Hart originals "Self evaluation" and "For the first time"...

TOM PIAZZA

But I haven´t been able to find anything more by this guy. AMG and google searches didn´t bring anything.

Have you any idea of what´s happened to Thomas Williams?

Edited July 2, 2004 by EKE BBB

[couw]

try searching for "Tom Williams," as was brought up by my search of [Williams trumpet Baltimore]. I believe it's your guy.

[EKE BBB]

Thanks, John.

Yes, it could be TOM (or TOMMY) WILLIAMS -AMG-

[EKE BBB]

From Kennedy Center Millenium Stage Archives:

A native of Baltimore, Tom Williams has been working steadily on both trumpet and drums since high school. After graduating from Towson State University, he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, with whom he played the national tour of Sophisticated Ladies. In 1987 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Band and became a featured soloist in the Jazz Ambassadors and the Army Blues. In 1991 he was a finalist and second place winner in the first Louis Armstrong International Trumpet Competition sponsored by the Thelonious Monk Institute. A versatile performer, Mr. Williams has played in the show bands of everyone from Patti LaBelle to Rosemary Clooney, and he has appeared at numerous jazz festivals and venues around the world. On trumpet, he has recorded two albums, Introducing Tom Williams and Straight Street. As a drummer, he leads his band Interplay, which recorded First Time and the soon to be released Pick Up the Pieces.

[EKE BBB]

There´s nothing like some help from organissimo members...

TOM WILLIAMS WEBSITE

(including bio, recordings, gallery, links, events...)

Notwithstanding...

-no recordings since 2001

-not very busy schedule for 2003 or 2004, if you check "events"

Another lost promise?

[bertrand]

Tommy Williams is a fabulous trumpet player and a good friend of mine. He does get gigs locally, but not nearly as much as I would like! (he has a day job). He plays with the Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra as well, and is usually with them when they have a concert (which is less and less frequently). I saw him at the Benny Carter tribute in April, and his playing was outstanding as always.

In addition to his two dates on Criss Cross, he has two self-produced albums with his group Interplay - he plays more drums than trumpet on these, another instrument he is excellent on.

He should be signed to Blue Note, rather than those much-less talented trumpet players of theirs.

Bertrand.