Ben Williams Archives

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the Milt Hinton Institute for Studio Bass, a performance camp for student bassists focusing solely on our instrument.

I’ve always loved the Sanborn Sessions. I don’t know how I missed this episode, but it’s better late than never. Kandace Springs joined Dave and the band to record “Love Got In The Way,” with Ben Williams laying down some funky bass with a fat tone.

Le Coq Records launched last January with “The Jazz All Stars, Vol. 1”. Now the fresh jazz label is showing off its impressive roster again with Volume 2 with John Patitucci, Chris Colangelo, and Ben Williams on bass.

Dave Sanborn’s “The Sanborn Sessions” dropped another remote session episode recently, with Sting as the guest. The group performs Sting’s “Fragile” and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s “In My Own Dream”.

I’ve been enjoying Dave Sanborn’s “Sanborn Sessions” series since day one, but episode #6 is my favorite so far. In this clip, guest Bob James joins the group for this incredible session. Ben Williams’ playing on this one is sublime.

Singer/songwriter José James has released “No Beginning No End 2,” which serves as a sequel to his 2013 album on Blue Note Records. His fluid mix of jazz, pop, R&B, and soul remains intact, thanks in part to bassist Ben Williams.

Since David Sanborn’s “Sanborn Sessions” debuted, I’m always looking forward to a new episode. In session #3, the band was joined by Jonatha Brooke and Charlie Hunter to perform Brooke’s song, “Inconsolable.” Ben Williams once again is on bass.

Jazz bassist Ben Williams has stepped out front on his new “sociopolitically charged” album “I Am A Man.” Though it’s his third solo album, it’s his debut as both bassist and vocalist.

Dave Sanborn has a cool new video series out called “Sanborn Sessions.” Sanborn put together a house band for the series, which includes Ben Williams on bass. In this episode, Michael McDonald and Brian Owens join the group to perform some sweet music.

BASS OF THE WEEK: The Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington, D.C. has produced numerous famous alumni. The high school got a major renovation in 2016 and now, with the help of another alumnus, a piece of the school will always be in the hands of a bassist.

Pianist John Beasley’s MONK’estra contemporary big band, which interprets the work of legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, has released MONK’estra Vol. 1. Beasley is a Monk aficionado and serves as music director for the Monk Institute’s gala concerts, like International Jazz Day and the Monk Institute’s annual competition galas. Since 2013, the MONK’estra has played live on both...

Clockwork, jazz pianist Victor Gould’s debut as a bandleader has arrived. The album features Ben Williams (Pat Metheny’s Unity Band) on bass, and even features an homage to bass great/composer Ron Carter, called “Sir Carter.” The record includes sextet arrangements and pieces augmented by strings. “I didn’t want to be locked in with instrumentation,” Gould says. “I’ve come to believe...