Ben Williams Archives - Page 2
Pat Metheny Releases Music from DVD with His Unity Group
Jazz guitar great Pat Metheny’s Unity Group has released The Unity Sessions, the CD version of a filmed performance by the group recently released on DVD. The two-CD set features 13 songs and the bass work of past Thelonius Monk competition winner Ben Williams, who also has a solo career. “Ben has a fearless and open-minded approach to what music...
Ben Williams Comes of Age on Second Album
Jazz bassist Ben Williams’ second album, Coming of Age, explores the musical and emotional growth of Williams, who won the 2009 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition. The album not only includes his own work, but also a cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Here’s the album’s opening track, “Black Villain Music”: Coming of Age is available on ,...
Pat Metheny’s Unity Band Kicks Off U.S. Tour Dates
Pat Metheny’s Unity band, featuring bassist Ben Williams, has been touring Europe all summer. Following a two week break, the band is kicking off a fall tour of the US today. The band, which also includes saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Antonio Sanchez, is touring in support of the Unity Band album, released in June. As we reported then, Williams...
Pat Metheny Releases “Unity Band”, Featuring Ben Williams
Following two vastly different solo recordings, guitarist Pat Metheny has once again turned his attention to the quartet format with the release of Unity Band. The guitarist set his sights on a new bassist this time around, enlisting Ben Williams for the record, and rounding out the group with drummer Antonio Sanchez and saxophonist Chris Potter. Williams, who won the...
Ben Williams Releases Debut Album “State of Art”
Ben Williams won the Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition in 2009, and with it, a recording contract with Concord Jazz. Over the last two years, Williams has been recording with several artists on the label, and has now released State of Art, his debut album as a leader. This album offers a unique blend of music, with R&B, jazz, hip-hop...