Buster Williams

[HutchFan]

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!  

 

Edited 21 hours ago by HutchFan

[JSngry]

Completely from another world, but I always enjoyed how he play the Nancy Wilson gig.

As well as the Jazz Crusaders 

[HutchFan]

Some photos of Buster:

with Herbie Hancock & Billy Hart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure that many of you have already seen it, but I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend Buster's documentary: Buster Williams Bass to Infinity.

Edited 20 hours ago by HutchFan

[Brad]

That documentary was fantastic. Highly recommended.

Was listening to Pinnacle on the radio today. 

[Peter Friedman]

4 hours ago, HutchFan said:

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!  

 

Here is my Buster Williams list, and did not include any you already listed.

Gene Ammons - Boss Tenor / The Boss Is Back  Stanley Turrentine - Another Story I Dexter Gordon Tower of Power / More Tower of Power/ Generation I Great Jazz Trio - Love For Sale I Charles McPherson- McPherson's Mood I This Is Buck Hill I Illinois Jacquet - The Blues That's Me I Red Rodney - Red, White & Blue I Albert Dailey - That Old Feeling I Lee Konitz Nonet - No No Nonet I Junior cook - Somethings Cookin' I Bobby Hutcherson - In The Vanguard I Ted Brown - In Good Company I Ralph Moore - 623 C Street I Houston Person - The Big Horn / Very Personal IDavid "Fathead" Newman - Resurgence / The Gift  I  Frank Morgan - Lament / Bebop Lives / Mood Indigo ICarl Saunders - Out Of The Blue I Benny Green - In This Direction I Ronnie Mathews - Shades Of monk I Teddy Edwards - Midnight Creeper I John Hicks - On The Wings Of An Eagle I Larry Coryell - Shining Hour / Crdars of Avalon I Steve Kuhn - Porgy / Temptation / Plays Standards I Eddie Daniels & Roger Kellaway - Just Friends i Claudio Rodito - Free Wheeling I Cedar Walton - Voives Deep Within ? Song Of Delilah I Ben Riley - Weaver Of Dreams I John McNeil & Tom Harrell - Look To The Sky I Emily Remler - East To West I Kenny Barron - Green Chimneys I Gary Bartz & Sonny Fortune - Alto Memories I Billy Childs - Skim Coat I Sonny Stitt Meets Sadik Hakim  I Timeless All Stars - It's Timeless / Timeless Heart / Essence / Time For Timeless Allstars i Woody Shaw - Setting Standards I Renee Rosnes - Without Words I Sphere - (6 albums) I Willie Jone III - Groundwork/ My Point IsI Benny Golson Terminal 1 / New Time, New 'Tet I Jeremy Pely - The Art of Intimacy Vol.2

 

 

[Gheorghe]

I saw Buster Williams once in 1979 as „second bass” in the Ron Carter Quartet (with Kenny Barron and Ben Riley). I must admit I like Ron Carter much more on the regular bass than on Picollo Bass that he played. 

Buster Williams had one solo but it sounded more interesting to me and he got very much applause for that. 

I love him on records, to bad I saw him live only one time. 

[JSngry]

Has there ever been a jazz "Buster" who has ever been less than a total badass?

[HutchFan]

1 hour ago, Brad said:

Was listening to Pinnacle on the radio today. 

I was pleased to see that Pinnacle is being reissued in April as part of Record Store Day. 😃

[jlhoots]

Buster is cool.

[Milestones]

I know he was with The Great Jazz Trio along with Tony Williams: Love for Sale. 

Edited 12 hours ago by Milestones

[HutchFan]

11 minutes ago, Milestones said:

Wasn't he a member of The Great Jazz Trio after the Carter/Williams edition? 

Yep. Buster plays on the GJT's Love for Sale (East Wind, 1976). 

I don't think I've ever heard it.  Anyone who has: What do you think?

[Brad]

12 hours ago, HutchFan said:

I was pleased to see that Pinnacle is being reissued in April as part of Record Store Day. 😃

I’m definitely up for that. 

[njtw]

Sarah Vaughan – Sassy Swings The Tivoli (Sarah Vaughan In Copenhagen)

[mhatta]

9 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Yep. Buster plays on the GJT's Love for Sale (East Wind, 1976). 

I don't think I've ever heard it.  Anyone who has: What do you think?

I like it.  Buster's bass has a slightly lower center of gravity than Ron Carter's and pushes forward more, so I think he matches better with the heavy Tony and the lighter Hank Jones than Carter does.

 

Edited 3 hours ago by mhatta

[clifford_thornton]

He's also a Mellon Jazz Legacy Fellow. $100K will go a long way I presume.

[HutchFan]

My favorite Buster recordings as a leader or co-leader:

****************************************************************

Pinnacle (Muse, 1975)
Very much in the spirit of Herbie's Mwandishi band.  In other words, stinkin' brilliant!  Features Woody Shaw, Sonny Fortune, and Onaje Allan Gumbs.

Sphere - Flight Path (Elektra Musician, 1983)
with Charlie Rouse, Kenny Barron, and Ben Riley.  Unlike the first album, this one features compositions by the band including several by Buster. 

Timeless All Stars - Timeless Heart (Timeless, 1983)
with Harold Land, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, and Billy Higgins.  Effortless beauty.

2 as One: Live at Umbria Jazz - with Kenny Barron (Red, 1987)
Recently reissued in an expanded two-disc set. A great opportunity to hear Buster "up front," on equal footing with the piano.

Lost in a Memory (TCB, 1999)
with the late, great Geri Allen.  Also features Stefon Harris and Lenny White.

Houdini (Sirocco, 2001)
trio setting with Geri Allen and Lenny White.  Might be tough to find since Sirocco went belly-up.  But it's well worth the effort.

Griot Liberté (Highnote, 2004)
with George Colligan, Stefon Harris, and Lenny White.  Tremendous. Also available in SACD format that sort of thing floats your boat.

Audacity (Smoke Sessions, 2018)
with Buster's working band, which he calls Something More: George Colligan, Steve Wilson, and Lenny White.