David Williams

Williams is probably best-known for his long stint with pianist Cedar Walton, but he’s also played with many other famous jazz artists, including drummer Beaver Harris, flugelhornist Chuck Mangione, and singer Vanessa Rubin. Williams studied with Ron Carter while in his 20s. He worked with Harris in New York City and Mangione in Rochester, NY around 1969, and backed pop singer Roberta Flack in the early ’70s. During the 70’s Williams played with alto saxophonists Ornette Coleman and Charles McPherson, pianists Billy Taylor, Kenny Barron, and Duke Jordan, drummer Elvin Jones, and tenor saxophonists Archie Shepp and George Adams, among others. He played in the bands of alto saxophonist Art Pepper and trombonist Slide Hampton in the ’80s, and also worked with trumpeter Woody Shaw. He began playing with Walton around 1983; thereafter he was a member of Walton’s various bands, often forming a rhythm section with Billy Higgins before the drummer’s death in 2001. Williams played on Vanessa Rubin’s 2001 release, Girl Talk, and on Manhattan Transfer vocalist Janis Siegel’s 2002 album, I Wish You Love. Walton also played on both albums. ~ Chris Kelsey