filmmusic 1,829 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I admit I just learned today about him!I found out about him by accident. I was searching google images for Jazz Beginnings cd and I come up with this:and i say: Wow! There is another cd of Williams jazz performances that i didn't know of? Apparently it wasn't the same!Vermont native John Williams has has long been eclipsed by his classical and pop namesake, but at the time of this recording – 1954 – he was a rising young star with real promise in the jazz idiom. A tasteful soloist and occasional composer, he had joined Charlie Barnet's big band in 1951 after a stint in the Army (where he played baritone horn!) and then moved on to Stan Getz's quartet, his steady gig at the time of this Emarcy recording. This EP contains four of the eight tunes that eventually comprised Williams' first recording as a leader, but they give a good sampling of John's skill as a soloist – nothing flashy, just thoughtful and swinging. Williams would go on to make a second record for Mercury (Emarcy) and record as a sideman with such luminaries as Al Cohn, Zoot Sims and Cannonball Adderley. The critics applauded this first effort, as can be seen in the Metronome review from May 1955 above (of the complete LP). While John Williams still plays (or at least did up until 2004), he dropped out of sight in the 1960s to become a full-time banker and eventually became a city commissioner in Hollywood, Florida. This little EP I picked up at a church rummage sale a couple decades back and always liked it, so even though you can get the complete John Williams on Emarcy for a stiff price at Amazon (an import), I thought it was worth sharing with other inquiring jazz minds. I'm sorry, I can't post the source of this, because it has a link to a download. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bespin 8,482 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 There is... another...Will...Will...iams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilal 569 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 You forgot to mention he picked up the guitar later, filmmusic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmmusic 1,829 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 You forgot to mention he picked up the guitar later, filmmusic.I'm sorry?He isn't that John Williams (the guitarist).That one is a 3rd one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilal 569 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 You forgot to mention he picked up the guitar later, filmmusic.I'm sorry?He isn't that John Williams (the guitarist).That one is a 3rd one! Say what you will, I'm absolutely convinced you're wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hlao-roo 389 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Why is this in General Discussion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig 1,120 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Why is this in General Discussion? Isn't it obvious? We're talking about John Williams, not John Williams. Only threads about John Williams go in the John Williams forum. And just to be clear, I'm talking about John T. Williams, not John T. Williams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wojo 2,453 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Do you tilt your head to the left or right when you speak the italicized initial? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Yeah, I was actually aware of this other John Willliams, but so far haven't encountered any instances where the two could be confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 And there's a John T. Williams there, just like me. Except he's some kind of high-up film composer. And he was a jazz pianist in the 50s. Can you believe that? Maybe it's a fairy tale he made up, but it started me thinking how each of us might have turned out, had history been just a little different. I wanted him to take me with him because, whatever it's like where he's from, it's gotta be better than this. There's got to be something better than this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 And there's a John T. Williams there, just like me. Except he's some kind of high-up film composer. And he was a jazz pianist in the 50s. Can you believe that? Maybe it's a fairy tale he made up, but it started me thinking how each of us might have turned out, had history been just a little different. I wanted him to take me with him because, whatever it's like where he's from, it's gotta be better than this. There's got to be something better than this.What?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Know your history Thor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,364 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 And there's a John T. Williams there, just like me. Except he's some kind of high-up film composer. And he was a jazz pianist in the 50s. Can you believe that? Maybe it's a fairy tale he made up, but it started me thinking how each of us might have turned out, had history been just a little different. I wanted him to take me with him because, whatever it's like where he's from, it's gotta be better than this. There's got to be something better than this.What?!?http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708522/quotes?qt=qt0951267 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 It's a classic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I have an erection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,013 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Why is this in John Williams forum? This ISN'T John Williams.Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Know your history Thor!Sorry, I've never been interested in STAR TREK (but amazingly seen all the movies). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmmusic 1,829 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Why is this in John Williams forum? This ISN'T John Williams. KarolThis is in the General discussion forum!Aren't there other than John Williams topics here? edit: Oops, it seems someone moved it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 John Williams? This is a Star Trek forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted February 19, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2015 John Thomas Williams was a major name in the jazz field in the 50's. He toured extensively with Stan Getz and Bob Brookmeir. I've tried to collect all of his recording, not only for interest on his performance and even composing abilities, but to be sure where he played and where John Towner Williams did. There is an obvious diference in styles, so I've been able through the years, and with some help of a couple of Jazz buffs and record producers to exclude some recordings from John Towner Williams list of recordings that were previously atributed to him.John Thomas Williams left his professional music carreer behind, has he got ahare of all the mess going on back then, with all the drugs and drinking, leading to the death of several colleagues and friends. As mentioned above, he went into public service and stay active as a musician on a local basis only, even creating a jazz festival in Florida. Incanus, fommes and Bespin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,504 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Is he still alive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel Andrade 1,263 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 He's older than "our" Williams... but last time I checked he still was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incanus 5,715 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Very cool detective work Miguel. Your knowledge of all things Williams (and now it seems other Williamses as well) is as always impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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