James Williams Discography
DISCOGRAPHY AS A LEADER
ALTER EGO (7/19-20/84) Sunnyside SSC 1007D cd Bill Easley, Billy Pierce, Kevin Eubanks Ray Drummond, Tony Reedus Black Scholars; Alter Ego; Havana Days; Fourplay; A Touching Affair; Waltz for Monk; Beauty Within; Yours and Mine
ATTITUDES OF AN EVERYDAY MAN (1991) DIW w/Bill Mobley, Bill Pierce, James Williams, Christian McBride, XXX, Pamela Baskin-Watson, Boys Choir of Harlem
ARIOSO TOUCH, THE (NYC, 2/82) LP Concord CJ-192 cd Concord 30 VICJ-60937 James Williams, Buster Williams, Billy Higgins. You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To; Arioso; Day Dream; Remember; Pbineas: The Living Legend; I Didn’t Know About You; Don’t Explain; Judge for Yourself.
AWESOME! James Williams Magical Trio (9/11/97) cd DIW-623 w/Ray Brown, Elvin Jones It’s Alright With Me; Quietude; Time After Time; Lonely Moments; Somebody Loves Me; Give Me the Simple Life; Sophisticated Lady; Go Tell It On the Mountain; Sweet and Lovely; Sonnymoon for Two
CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS! James Williams All-Stars (1/17/98) cd DIW 937 w/Nicholas Payton, Mark Whitfield, James Williams, Ron Carter, Billy Higgins, Vanessa Rubin, Miles Griffith, Roger Holland. Strike Up the Band; Come Rain or Come Shine; I Got Rhythm; This Time the Dream’s On Me; Love Walked In; My Shining Hour; Golden Earrings; Somebody Loves Me; Come Sunday.
EVERYTHING I LOVE James Williams Quartet (1977) Concord CJ-104 James Williams, Bill Pierce, Dennis Irwin, Billy Hart.
That’s All; For My Nephews; Thoughts; Dedicated To You; Everything I Love.
FLYING COLORS (7/77) Zim AMS-2005 James Williams w/Slide Hampton, Bill Easley, Bill Pierce, Sylvester Sample, James Baker. Stretching; Soulful Bill; By Myself; The Song is You; Flying Colors; Round Midnight; 1977 A.D.
FOCUS – Dennis Irwin & James Williams (Bologna, Italy, 6/77) Red Records
James Williams, pno; Dennis Irwin, bs.
Focus; Minosa; For My Nephews; In a Sentimental Mood; Invitation
FOURPLAY. DIW – 836 (1990) Clifford Jordan, James Williams, Richard Davis, Ronnie Burrage Tokyo Road; Japanese Dream; I Mean You; For My Nephews; Hi-Fly; Misako-Beautiful Shore.
IMAGES OF THINGS TO COME [San Franscisco, 6/80] Concord LP CJ-140 James Williams, Bill Pierce, Charles Fambrough, Carl Burnett. I Hear A Rhapsody; You Go To My Head; You’re My Everything; Wishful Thinking; Beautiful Love; Images of Things to Come; My Ideal; Focus
I REMEMBER CLIFFORD (1992) CD DIW-601
James Williams, pno; Richard Davis, bs; Ronnie Burrage, dms. As I Live and Breathe; I Remember Clifford; Take the Coltrane; Simone; Focus; Shelly; Sweet and Lovely
JAZZ DIALOGUES Volume # 1– WILLPOWER (2003) cd Finas Music FM-101 Rainy Days and Mondays/Christian McBride; Skylark/Etta Jones; Frank’s Tune/Steve Wilson; Le Wizard de Basso/Ron Carter; Whisper Not/Russell Malone; Willpower/Joe Lovano; Be Real Special/Steve Nelson; Close to You/Freddy Cole; Inner Urge/Billy Pierce; I Surrender All/John Patitucci
JAZZ DIALOGUES Volume # 2 – FOCUS (2003) cd FM-102
Focus/Peter Washington; Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You/Houston Person; Put on a Happy Face/Russell Malone; I Know It’s You/Roger Holland; They Didn’t Believe Me/Loren Schoenberg; Easy Living/Mary Stallings; Fourplay/ Dave Stryker; For My Nephews/Ray Drummond; I’ve Got the World on a String/Steve Heck; Groovin’ High/Jon Faddis; These Foolish Things/Miles Griffith; Daydream/John Clayton
JAZZ DIALOGUES Volume # 3 – OUT OF NOWHERE (2003) cd FM-103
I Mean You/Ron Carter; That’s My Desire/Freddy Cole; Dolphin Dance/ Steve Nelson; Out of Nowhere/Etta Jones; When You’re Smiling/Rufus Reid; A Child Is Born/Jon Faddis; Teach Me Tonight/Kim Nalley; Bassically Simple/John Patitucci; For All We Know/ Roger Holland; The Old Country/ Peter Washington; Little B’s Poem/Billy Pierce
JAZZ DIALOGUES Volume # 4 – MUSIC FOR A WHILE (2003) cd FM-10 104 Thermo/Christian McBride; Take Time for Love/Joe Lovano; Undecided/ Mary Stallings; Walk With Me/Rufus Reid; Old Times Sake/Steve Wilson; If I Loved You/Thomas Trotter; The More I See You/Houston Person; Pieces of a Dream/Dave Stryker; East of the Sun/Kim Nalley; Music for a While/Roger Holland & Thomas Trotter
JAZZ PIANO CHRISTMAS (2004) Dove Audio [Originally broadcast on National Public Radio] James Williams, Renee Rosnes, Ralph Sharon, Tommy Flanagan, Steve Allen, Sir Roland Hanna, Harold Mabern, Ray Bryant, Kenny Barron. Featuring James Williams: Away in a Manger; O Tannenbaum; Winter Wonderland; Let It Snow; Featuring others: White Christmas; What Child Is This?; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; The Christmas Song; The Red of the Holly; We Three Kings; A Child Is Born; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; I’ll Be Home for Christmas; Cool Yule; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; Winter Wonderland; White Christmas; The Christmas Song.
KEY PLAYERS, THE Contemporary Piano Ensemble (8/12-13/93) DIW CK 57754 w/James Williams, Donald Brown, Harold Mabern, Mulgrew Miller, Geoff Keezer, Christian McBride; Tony Reedus.
Valerie; Theme For My Father; P.N.J.; Bewitched/Autumn in New York; Up There; One’s Own Room; Moanin’; Will Power; Hibiscus; Just Squeeze Me; Don’t You Know I Care / Come Sunday.
MAGICAL TRIO 1 (6/26/87) Emarcy 832 859 2 w/Ray Brown, Art Blakey.
Hammerin’; Buhaina, Buhaina; The Night We Called It a Day; Old Times’ Sake; Soulful Mr. Timmons; Love Letters; Mean What You Say; You’re Lucky to Me; J’s Jam Song.
MAGICAL TRIO 2 (11/23-24/87) lp 834 368-1 cd EmArcy 834 368-2 w/Ray Brown, Elvin Jones. Bohemia After Dark; Too Late Now; A Portrait of Elvin; Roadlife; In the Open Court; You Are Too Beautiful; Lullaby of the Leaves
MAYBECK, AT, VOLUME 42 (8/27/95) cd Concord Jazz CCD-4694 James Williams, Solo Piano. Polka Dots and Moonbeams; Footprints; Dreamsville; I Fall In Love Too Easily; New York; ‘Round Midnight; Inner Urge; Street of Dreams; Blues Etude; Spiritual Medley
MEETS THE SAXOPHONE MASTERS (9/23/91) cd Columbia DIW 472973 2 George Coleman, Joe Henderson, Billy Pierce, ts; James Willams, pno; James Genus, bs; Tony Reedus, dms. Fourplay; Lo Joe; Centerpiece; Calvary; The Song is You; Old Folks
MEMPHIS CONVENTION (6/26, 28, 8/6/92) DIW 874. w/Bill Mobley, Bill Easley, Lewis Keel, George Coleman, Herman Green, Donald Brown, Haorld Mabern, Mulgrew Miller, Charles Thomas, James Williams, Calvin Newborn, Jamil Nasser, Tony Reedus. Produced by James Williams. Squindo’s Passion; Ray-El; There But for the Grace; The Sequel; Tickle Toe; Nigh Mist Blues; Our Delight; Cottontail; No Moon At All; Locomotion.
PIANO JAZZ – Marian McPartland, guest James Williams (date) [NPR program recording; Air date October 12, 2004]
PROGRESS REPORT James Williams Sextet (5/22, 24/85) cd Sunnyside SSC-1012 D including Bill Easley, Billy Pierce, Kevin Eubanks, Rufus Reid, Tony Reedus, Jerry Gonzalez Progress Report; Episode from a Village Dance; Affaire D’Amour; Mister Day’s Dream; Unconscious Behavior; Renaissance Lovers; A Touching Affair; Waltz for Monk
SOLO PIANO, VOLUME I – unreleased. James Williams, piano
SOLO PIANO, VOLUME II – unreleased. James Williams, piano
SOLO PIANO, VOLUME III – unreleased. James Williams, piano
SOLO PIANO, VOLUME IV – unreleased. James Williams, piano
SOULFUL SERENDIPITY James Williams & Bobby Watson:– We Always Swing WASJS 1001 (6/14/03) Bobby Watson, James Williams, Pamela Baskin-Watson.
Speak Low; Moanin’; Alter Ego; Skylark; Jamespeak/Modesty; Wheel Within a Wheel; Spirit(ually), James; Relaxin’ at Camarillo.
TALKIN’ TRASH James Williams / Clark Terry (3/4/93) James Williams Sextet featuring Clark Terry, Billy Pierce, Steve Nelson, Christian McBride, Tony Reedus cd Columbia DIW 478176 2 Serenade to a Bus Seat; The Orator (CT’s Sermon); Chuckles; Moonglow; Talkin’ Trash; Lotus Blossom; Embraceable You; Boomerang; SKJ
TOGETHER James Williams and Emil Viklicky (1981) 12” lp Supraphon 1115 3013 H cd SU 5071-2 511
For My Nephews; One for J.W.; Blue in Dark-Green; You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To; Double Play; Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise; 1977 A.D.; Rhythm-a-Ning; Together.
TRUTH, JUSTICE & THE BLUES James Williams Intensive Care Unit (12/8-9/94) cd Evidence ECD 22142-2 Truth, Justice and the Blues; Self Esteem; For Old Times Sake; Yes, Yes, Oh Yes; For All Intensive Purposes; On His Word; Take Time for Love; You’re My Alter Ego; J’s Rhythm Song; Just a Feelin’; Be Real Special
UP TO THE MINUTE BLUES (1994) DIW –882 cd Billy Pierce, Ray Drummond, Billy Higgins, Tony Reedus Common Knowledge; Afro Centric; Girl Talk; Three Card Molly; The Masquerade Is Over; Up to the Minute Blues
WE’VE GOT WHAT YOU NEED! James Williams Intensive Care Unit (12/17/96) cd ECD 22207-2 Beautiful Friendship; Dat Dere; Playin’ the Field; Dialogue; You’ll Never Walk Alone; Vignette; Day By Day; Deliverance; Lester Left Town; Vignette #2; Calvary; Praise Song for the People
DISCOGRAPHY AS A SIDEMAN
Greg Abate: BOP CITY – LIVE AT BIRDLAND (7/28/91) Candid 79513 w/Greg Abate, James Williams, Rufus Reid, Kenny Washington. Bop City; Minorism; What is This Thing Called Love; The Gypsy; Peaks Beaks; Basting the Bird; Andromeda; These Foolish Things; The Young’ Uns; Opportunity; Gemini Mood; Sax O’Blues.
Greg Abate: EVOLUTION – Straight Jazz/1201 Music 6013-2 (2/12/02) w/ Greg Abate, James Williams, Harvie S(wartz), Billy Hart. Dreaming In Color; Kerry’s Bossa; Dearly Departed (September 11); Angelic; Living the-Dash; K.T. Blues; The Little Men; Family Tree.
Jamey Aebersold: WOODY SHAW/VOLUME 9 – JA Records JA 1218 (recording details given as 1976) James Williams, Ronnie Mathews, pno; Stafford James, Jamey Aebersold, bass; Louis Hayes, Mike Hyman, drums. Play-Along educational recording. Little Red’s Fantasy; Katrina Ballerina; Blues for Wood; Moontrane; In Case You Haven’t Heard; Tomorrow’s Destiny; Beyond All Limits (bossa nova); Beyond All Limits (swing)
Jamey Aebersold: BLUES IN ALL KEYS/VOLUME 42 – JA Records JA 1264 (1988) James Williams, Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker. Play-Along educational recording. Twelve tracks, blues in each key.
Karrin Allyson: BALLADS – REMEMBERING JOHN COLTRANE Concord Jazz CCD-4950-2 cd w/Karrin Allyson, James Williams, John Patitucci, Lewis Nash, Bob Berg, James Carter, Steve Wilson. Say It (Over and Over Again); You Don’t Know What Love Is; Too Young to Go Steady; All of Nothing at All; I Wish I Knew; What’s New; It’s Easy to Remember; Nancy; Naima; Why Was I Born; Everytime We Say Goodbye; Nature Boy (bonus track).
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – IN MY PRIME, VOL. 1 (New York City, 12/29/78) Timeless SJP 114 Valery Ponomarev, Robert Watson, David Schnitter, Curtis Fuller, James Williams, Dennis Irwin, Art Blakey, Ray Mantilla. Jody; 1978; To See Her Face; Kamal
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – IN MY PRIME, VOL. 2 (New York City, 12/29/78) Timeless SJP Valery Ponomarev, Robert Watson, David Schnitter, Curtis Fuller, James Williams, Dennis Irwin, Art Blakey, Ray Mantilla. Hawkman; People Who Laugh; Time Will Tell; Ronne’s A Dynamite Lady
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – IN THIS KORNER (at Keystone Korner, San Franscisco, May 8, 1978) – Concord CJ-68 Valery Ponomarev, Robert Watson, David Schnitter, James Williams, Dennis Irwin, Art Blakey. Pamela; Unlimited; In This Korner; The Song Is You; Dark Side, Light Side; Blues For Two.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – REFLECTIONS IN BLUE (Loenan Aan De Vecht, Holland, December 4, 1978) Timeless SJP 128 / CDSJP 128 Valery Ponomarev, Robert Watson, David Schnitter, James Williams, Dennis Irwin, Art Blakey. Reflections in Blue; E.T.A.; Say Dr. “J”; Mishima; Ballad Medley: My Foolish Heart/My One and Only Love/Chelsea Bridge; In A Sentimental Mood; Stretching.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – NIGHT IN TUNISIA (Tokyo, Japan 2/12/79) Philips RJD-4 Valery Ponomarev, Robert Watson, David Schnitter, James Williams, Dennis Irwin, Art Blakey. A Night in Tunisia; Moanin’; Blues March.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – ONE BY ONE (Tokyo, Japan 2/12/79) Palcoscenico (Italy) PAL 15005. Valery Ponomarev, Robert Watson, David Schnitter, James Williams, Dennis Irwin, Art Blakey. Rhapsody in Blue; Summertime; It Ain’t Necessarily So; Someone To Watch Over Me; The Man I Love; The Song Is You; One By One; Moanin’.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – JAZZBUHNE BERLIN ‘ 80, VOL. 9 – Repertoire (German) RR 4909-WZ. Valery Ponomarev, Bobby Watson, Billy Pierce, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, Art Blakey. Lift Every Voice and Sing/Gipsy Folk Tales; One By One; Gershwin Medley: Rhapsody in Blue/Summertime/Someone to Watch Over Me/It Ain’t Necessarily So/The Man I Love; Blues March; I Remember Clifford; Theme Song.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – BIG BAND LIVE AT MONTREUX AND NORTHSEA (July 13 and 17, 1980) Timeless SJP 150 Art Blakey, Bill Pierce, Bobby Watson, Valerie Ponomarev, Wynton Marsalis, Robin Eubanks, Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, John Ramsey. Minor Thesis; A Wheel Within a Deal; Bit a Bittadose; Linwood.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – RECORDED LIVE AT BUBBA’S (Ft. Lauderdale, FL October 11, 1980) [Released variously as VOLUME 1/VOLUME 2] Bubba’s Live Recordings/Gemcom WWLP-21019 w/Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Billy Pierce, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, Art Blakey. Moanin’; My Funny Valentine; Soulful Mr. Timmons; My Ideal; Free For All. [Other discographies include: Angel Eyes; Bitter Dose; Wheel Within A Wheel; Gipsy; Au Privave; One By One; Round Midnight; E.T.A.; Time Will Tell; Blakey’s Theme – all recorded same night] See also Wynton Marsalis WYNTON, material from same night.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – ART BLAKEY IN SWEDEN (Stockholm, 3/9/81) – Amigo AMLP 839 Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Billy Pierce, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, Art Blakey. Webb City; How Deep is the Ocean; Skylark; Gypsy Folk Tales.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Paris, 4/12/81) – Timeless SJP 155. Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Billy Pierce, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, Art Blakey. Cheryl; Ms. B.C.; In Case You Missed It; Little Man; Witch Hunt; Soulful Mr. Timmons
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – ART COLLECTION (compilation of previously released material) Concord CD 4495 Art Blakey, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Valery Ponomarev, Donald Harrison, Branford Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Bill Pierce, David Schnitter, Jean Toussaint, Donald Brown, Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, Dennis Irwin, Lonnie Plaxico.
Fuller Love; Oh, By the Way; Webb City; Second Thoughts; In Walked Bud; Dark Side, Light Side; Jody
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – RECORDED LIVE AT BUBBA’S (Ft. Lauderdale, FL October 11, 1980) Bubba’s Live Recordings/Gemcom WWLP-21019 w/Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Billy Pierce, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, Art Blakey. Moanin’; My Funny Valentine; Soulful Mr. Timmons; My Ideal; Free For All
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT cd Starburst CDSB 1007 (rec. 10/11/80) Wynton Marsalis, tpt; Bobby Watson, as; Billy Pierce, ts; Jaems Williams, pno; Charles Fambrough, bs; Art Blakey, dms. Moanin’; Angel Eyes; ‘Round About Midnight; Bitter Dose; Gypsy Folk Tales; Jody; My Funny Valentine.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT VOL.2 cd CDSB 1015 (rec. 10/11/80 – same performance as Vol. 1 above) Wynton Marsalis, tpt; Bobby Watson, as; Billy Pierce, ts; Jaems Williams, pno; Charles Fambrough, bs; Art Blakey, dms. Free For All; One by One; Soulful Mr. Timmons; Au Privave (My Ideal); Wheel Within a Wheel; E.T.A.; Time Will Tell; Blakey’s Theme.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – SESJUN RADIO SHOWS, THE (2 CDs) T2 Out of the Blue PRC 2010171
CD I, 1-6 (rec. 12/14/78, Vught, Netherlands): Valery Ponomarev, tpt; David Schnitter, ts; Bobby Watson, as; James Williams, pno; Dennis Irwin, bs; Art Blakey, dms. 7-8 (rec. 5/1/80): Valery Ponomarev, tpt; Billy Pierce, ts; Bobby Watson, as; James Williams, pno; Charles Fambrough, bs; Art Blakey, dms. Time Will Tell; E.T.A.; My One and Only Love; Dr. J.; Evaline; Along Came Betty; Stairway to the Stars; Free For All.
CD II, 1-2 (rec. 5/1/80) Valery Ponomarev, tpt; Billy Pierce, ts; Bobby Watson, as; James Williams, pno; Charles Fambrough, bs; Art Blakey, dms. 3-6 (rec. 1/27/83) Terence Blanchard, tpt; Donald Harrison, as; Jean Tousaint, ts; Johnny O’Neal, pno; Charles Fambrough, bs; Art Blakey, dms. Blues March; 1977 A.D.; Little Man; Polka Dots and Moonbeams; Moanin’; The Theme.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – STRAIGHT AHEAD (at Keystone Korner, San Franscisco, June 1981) – Concord CJ-168 Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Billy Pierce, James Williams, Charles Fambrough, Art Blakey. Falling in Love with Love; My Romance; Webb City; How Deep is the Ocean; E.T.A.; The Theme
Boys Choir of Harlem – CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND SACRED SONGS – EAU TOCJ 5647 (rec. NYC, Sept. 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 1991) Boys Choir of Harlem; James Williams, pno; Peter Washington, bs; Tony Reedsu, dms; Dianne Reeves, voc. O Holy Night; I Wonder as I Wander; Winter Wonderland; The Christmas Song; Let It Snow, Let It Snow; White Christmas; O Tannenbaum; Go Tell It On the Mountain; Sweet Little Jesus Boy; Silent Night.
Kenny Burrell: LOVE IS THE ANSWER (1998) Concord CD CCD-42053-2 w/Kenny Burrell, James Williams, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley, Greg Ryan. Listen to the Dawn; Be Yourself; Love Suite: First Movement; Love Suite; Second Movement; We Must Find a Way; I’m Gonna D
Kenny Burrell: MIDNIGHT AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD (8/28/93) Evidence ECD 22124 w/Kenny Burrell, James Williams, Peter Washington, Sherman Ferguson. Introduction; Bemsha Swing; Little Sunflower; Cup Bearers; Ruby My Dear; Cottontail; My One and Only Love; Come Sunday/David Danced; Parker’s Mood; Do What You Gotta Do; Kenny’s Theme
Kenny Burrell: THEN ALONG CAME KENNY Evidence ECD 22160-2 – (rec. Village Vangard, NYC, 8/26-27/93). Kenny Burrell, gtr; James Williams, pno; Peter Washington, bs; Sherman Ferguson, dms. I Mean You; Maya’s Dance; Yardbird Suite; Manteca; Black and Tan Fantasy; Lament; The Along Came You; Fungii Mama; Good News Blues.
Bill Easley FIRST CALL (10/22/90) Milestone MCD 9186-2 Bill Easley, Bill Mobley, James Williams, George Caldwell, Dave Jackson, Grady Tate (also Sir Roland Hanna, J.J. Wiggins on other tracks) It’s All in the Game; Soemwher Along the Way; How Long Has This Been Going On; Oh, What A Dream; Soulful Bill; Blues For Stitt; Prelude to a Kiss; Little Benny (Crazeology)
Kevin Eubanks with James Williams and Robert Hurst: LIVE AT BRADLEY’S Blue Note CDP 7243 8 30133 2 6 Speak Low; Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child; June in January; In A Sentimental Mood; Alter Ego; Red Top; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.
Kevin Eubanks: SHRINE (2002) Insoul IS-1502 w/Bill Pierce, Kevin Eubanks, James Williams, Richard Reid, Billy Higgins. Liquid Jade; Special K, Tony; Dr. J.; Pilgrim Soul; Earl; Seven Minds; I Remember; Amazing Grace.
Art Farmer: BLAME IT ON MY YOUTH (2/88) cd Contemporary CCD-14042 w/Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, James Williams, Rufus Reid, Victor Lewis Blame It On My Youth; Fairytale Countryside; The Smile of the Snake; Third Avenue; Summer Serenade; Progress Report; I’ll Be Around
Art Farmer: PH.D (4/89) cd CCD-14055-2 w/Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Kenny Burrell, James Williams, Rufus Reid, Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Ph.D.; Affaire D’Amour; Mr. Day’s Dream; Blue Wail; Like Someone in Love; Rise to the Occasion; Ballade Art.
Art Farmer: SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR: THE MUSIC OF BILLY STRAYHORN – Contemporary C14029 and Contemporary CCD 14029 (1/87) w/Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, James Williams, Rufus Reid, Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Isfahan; Bloodcount; Johnny Come Lately, Something to Live For; Upper Manhattan Medical Group; Raincheck.
Tal Farlow: COOKIN’ ON ALL BURNERS – Concord CJ 204 (New York, August, 1982) Tal Farlow, gtr; James Williams, pno; Gary Mazzaroppi, bs; Vinnie Johnson, dms. You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To; If I Should Lose You; I Wished on the Moon; I’ve Got the World on a String; Love Letters; Why Shouldn’t I; Lullaby of the Leaves; Just Friends; I Thought About You.
Curtis Fuller: FOUR ON THE OUTSIDE – Timeless SJP 124 and CDSJP 124 (New York, September 18, 1978) Curtis Fuller; Pepper Adams, James Williams, Dennis Irwin, John Yarling. Four on the Outside; Suite-Kathy; Hello Young Lovers; Little Dreams; Ballad for Gabe-Wells; Corrida Del Torro.
Dizzy Gillespie: 70TH ANNIVERSARY BIG BAND (Live at Royal Festival Hall, London, 7/2/87) BBC BBCJ-7002-2 w/ Dizzy Gilespie, Jon Faddis, Glenn Drewes, Earl Gardner, Virgil Jones, tpt; Same rivers, Jukka Perka , Jerry Dodgion, Ralph Moore, Howard Johnson, sax; Frank Lacy, Britt Woodman, Steve Turre, trb; Bob Stewart, tba; James Williams, Ed Cherry, John Lee, Ignacio Berroa, Daniel Ponce. Emanon; Lover Come Back to Me; Round Midnight; Manteca; Without You – No Me; A Night In Tunisia; The Champ.
Eddie Gomez: NEXT FUTURE (1993) GRP STD-1106 w/Rick Margitza, Jeremy Steig, James Williams, Chick Corea, Lenny White. Next Future; Dreaming of You; North Moore St.; Lost Tango; Tenderly; Cheeks; Love Letter; Basic Trane-ing; Walter (Pigeon).
Andy Goodrich Quintet: MOTHERLESS CHILD (Delmark DE 495). Eddie Henderson, tpt; Andy Goodrich, as; James Williams, pno; Buster Williams, bs; Billy Hart, d. You Must Believe in Spring; Reminiscing; Motherless Child
Frank Gordon: CLARION ECHOES – Soul Note SN 1096, Soul Note 121096-2 and DIW DIW 1212 (New York, June 5 and 10, 1985). Frank Gordon, Bobby Watson, James Williams, Ari Brown, Carl Allen. El Toro; Illusion; Take Off; Clarion Echoes; Convulsion; I Remember Clifford
Tom Harrell: SAIL AWAY – Contemporary CCD 14054 and Contemporary CCD 14054-2 (New York, March 22 and 23, 1989) Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, James Williams, John Abercrombie, Ray Drummond, Adam Nussbaum. Eons; Glass Mystery; Dream in June; Sail Away; Buffalo Wings; It Always Is
Tom Harrell: VISIONS – Contemporary CCD 14063-2 (April 18-19,1987) w/Tom Harrell, George Robert, David Liebman, Joe Lovano, Bob Berg, James Williams, Liels Lan Doky, Dado Moroni, John Abercrombie, Danilo Perez, Ray Drummnd, Reggie Johnson, Bill Goodwin, Paul Motian, Adam Nussbaum. April Mist; Visions of Gaudi; Suspended View; I Dn’t Know; Autumn Picture; Opaling; Because I Love You; Everything I Love.
Milt Hinton: THE BASEMENT TAPES Chiaroscuro CR(D) 222 (June 23, Sept. 27 1989; Sept. 7, Oct. 10, 1990) w/Warren Vache, Kenny Davern, Frank Wess, Janice Friedman, James Williams, Howaard Alden, Milt Hinton, Kenny Washington, Jackie Williams, Sylvia Sims. Raincheck; A Time for Love; Johnny Come Lately; Fascinating Rhythm; Blessed Assurance; Mona’s Feeling Lonely; Order In The Court; Wade In The Water; Night and Day; As Long as I Live; Love Me or Leave Me; Old Man Time; Summertime; Travelin’ All Alone.
Richard Hollyday: MOMENT’S NOTICE – Shiah SR 114 (Carlisle, Massachusetts, 1983) Richard Hollyday, Billy Pierce, James Williams, John Lockwood, Alan Dawson. November Afternoon; Cape Verdean Blues; Stella By Starlight; Cherokee; Carolyn; Afrique; Moment’s Notice.
Greg Hopkins 16-Piece Band: OKAVONGO – Summit DCD 293 (1/97, 1/98). W/ Larry Monroe, Bruce Nifong, Mark Pinto, Bill Pierce, Greg Badolato, John Griener, Tomo Ferrante, Mark Phaneuf, saxes; Scoff DeOgburn, Don Gorder, Jeff Stout, Paul Fontaine, John Daly, George Zance, tpt; Tony Lada, Rick Stepton, Jeff Galindo, Jerry Ash, Tim Kelly, trbs; James Williams, tim Ray, Chris Neville, pno; Mick Goodrick, gtr; Paul Del Nero, Bruce Gertz, b; Joe Hunt, d. Stretchin’ Okavong; Contra, Part 1; Contra, Part 2; Nightfall; Crackdown – Dialogue; Crackdown; Infant Eyes; Sphere of T.M., Part 1; Sphere of T.M., Part 2; Thoughts; Steller – Prologue; Steller by Satellite.
Frank Jackson: NEW YORK AFTER DARK Kasis Records KS-003 (11/03) w/Frank Jackson, vocals; James Williams, Billy Pierce, Ron Carter, Kenny Washington.
You Go To My Head; Autumn in New York; What is Thing Thing Called Love?; Summertime; You Are Too Beautiful; If I Should Lose You; A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; Yardbird Suite; Baby I’m Yours; Oh You Crazy Moon; I See a Million People But All I Can See Is You; Foolishly Yours; It’s Monday Everyday.
Javon Jackson: ME AND MR. JONES – Criss Cross 1053 (12/16/91) w/Javon Jackson, James Williams, Christian McBride, Elvin Jones. Me and Mr. Jones; The Masquerade Is Over; Theme for Penny; Opus One-Point-Five; A Certain Attitude; A Free Man?; Buzz-At.
Howard Johnson & Gravity: GRAVITY! (Verve 531021-2 (NYC, n.d.) Howard Johnson, Dave Bargeron, Joe Daily Carl Kleinsteuber, Erarl McIntyre, Marcus Rojas, tuba; James Williams, pno; Melissa Slocum, bs; Kenny Washington, d. Stolen Moments; Appointment in Ghana; In This Korner.
Kolodny, Michael & Laura Pierce: I LOVE JAZZ: A QUICK GUIDE TO JAZZ LISTENING (Jazz Insight XXX) (2008) Laura Pierce, voc; Michael Kolodny, as; James Williams, pno; Harvie S, bs; Jimmy Cobb, dms. It’s Your Move; One Note Samba; Bye Bye Blackbird; You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To, plus 31 educational playing examples and spoken tracks.
Bill Lee: DO THE RIGHT THING (Soundtrack) – Columbia C 45406 and CK 45406 (New York, December 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, 1988)
Peter Leitch: PORTRAITS AND DEDICATIONS – Criss Cross Jazz 1039 and Criss Cross Jazz 1039 (CD) (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, December 30, 1988 and January 24, 1989) w/Bobby Watson, Jed Levy (a. flute), Peter Leitch, James Williams, Ray Drummond, Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Pepper; Visage de Cathryn; Modes For Wood; Warm Valley; Colorado; Portrait of Sylvia; The Winter of My Discontent; A Blues for ‘Nita; The Bulldog; Shades of Stein.
Kevin Mahogany: YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES Enja ENJ 9039-2 (Brooklyn, NY, 3/19/95) Kevin Mahogany, Jeanie Bryson, voc; Benny Golson, James Williams, Michael Formanek, Victor Lewis. Stockholm Sweetnin’; Just In Time; Sophisticated Lady; Route 66; Here’s That Rainy Day; Yardbird Suite; My Funny Valentine; Old Time’s Sake; B.G’s Groove; God Bless the Child; Little Sherri; Please Send Me Someone to Love; Baby, You Got What It Takes.
Rick Margitza: WORK IT cd SteepleChase SCCD 31358 (1995) Rick Margitza, ts; James Williams, pno; George Mraz, bs; Billy Hart, dms. Steppin’ Out; Work It; My Foolish Heart; Your Lady; It Could Happen to You; Last Season; Blues.
Wynton Marsalis: WYNTON – Who’s Who WWLP 21024 and Break Time BR 14039
(Live Bubba’s Jazz Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 11, 1980)
[Same gig, other tunes as Art Blakey/Jazz Messengers RECORDED LIVE AT BUBBA’S]
Wynton Marsalis: THE ALL-AMERICAN HERO / Sound of Jazz Vol. 14 – Who’s Who WWLP 2102X?? and Break Time BR 14040 (Live Bubba’s Jazz Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 11, 1980) [See Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers RECORDED LIVE AT BUBBA’S; same date] One By One; My Funny Valentine; round ‘Bout Midnight; E.T.A.; Time Will Tell; Blakey’s Theme.
Memphis State University Jazz Band “A” – BURNING WITH JAZZ BAND “A” 1971-72. (United Sound Recorders RPP-122) w/Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Richard Davis, Marvin Stamm, Bill Watrous; Thomas C. Ferguson, cond. Memphis State students: Al Cochran, Ronnie Turner, as; Gary Topper, Gary Goldsmith, ts; Jerry Metcalf, bari; Gordon Cummings, Terry Dunn, Hillary Laybourn, Mike Talley, Key Ray Knox, tpt; Jay Henry, John Hudson, Chesley Henderson, B.J. Dodd, trb; David Thieme, Scott Ringold, fr hn; Luther Murphy, tba; Don Bruch, gtr; James Williams, pno; Sylvester Sample, bs; Bob Wyatt, dms; James Baker, vibes; Lanny Byrd, Kim Holl, perc. Polluted Tears; Mach Picchu; All I Do I Dream of You; Low Down; Three and One; Once Around; Journey to a Far Land; Feelin’ Free; The Last Minute.
Bill Mobley Jazz Orchestra LIVE AT SMALL’S – VOL. 1 (Sept. 17, 18, 1996) Space Time BG 9805 w/Jon Gordon, Jay Brandford, Mike Lee, Bill Easley, Ray Franks, saxes; Tim Sessions, Pat Hallaran, Mike Fahan, Tim Newman, trb; Craig Johnson, Greg Gisberg, Andy Gravish, Jim Rotondi,, tpt; Matthew Fries, pno; Bill Moring, b; Tony Reedus, d. Guests Donald Brown, Harold Mabern, James Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Miles Griffith, Billy Pierce. Farewell to Dogma; 49th Street; Song for My Mother; Black Scholars; Judgement Day; Alex the Great.
Bill Mobley Jazz Orchestra LIVE AT SMALL’S – VOL.. 2 (Sept. 17, 18, 1996) Space Time BG 9809 w/Jon Gordon, Jay Brandford, Mike Lee, Bill Easley, Ray Franks, saxes; Tim Sessions, Pat Hallaran, Mike Fahan, Tim Newman, trb; Craig Johnson, Greg Gisberg, Andy Gravish, Jim Rotondi,, tpt; Matthew Fries, pno; Bill Moring, b; Tony Reedus, d. Guests Donald Brown, Harold Mabern, James Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Miles Griffith, Billy Pierce. Second Thoughts; Sudan Blue; Chuck’s Groove; Lament; For My Nephews; Affaire d’Amour.
Bill Mobley and SpaceTime Big Band – NEW LIGHT Space Time BG 2117 (rec. 8/1-2/01) Jon Gordon, Danny Walsh, as; Steve Wilson, ss (Joyful Noise); Billy Pierce, Billy Easley, ts; Ray Franks, bari; Andy Strassmich, fl, picc; Craig Johnson, Jon Owens, Andy Gravish, Joe Gransden, Joe Magnarelli, tpt; Pete McGuinness, Clark Gayton, Mike Fahn, trb; Jeff Nelson, bs trb; James Williams, Baptiste Trotignon, pno; Robert Hurst, bs; Jeff “Tain” Watts, dms. Moods and Trends; New Light; The Biscuit Man; A Joyful Noise; Prayer for Annie; Our Love is Here to Stay; For All We Know; In a Mellow Tone.
Ronald Muldrow: THE BEST OF RONALD MULDROW (Panda) (2003) Ronald Muldrow, Steve Nelson, Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, Melvin Rhyne, Miller Pertum, Larry Goldings, Yoron Istrael. Andrea; Basic Traneing; Oliver’s Moments; Vitreousity; Besame Mucho; Our Day Will Come. The Nearness of You; Unoxchible; Freedom’s Serenade; Ysatou; Twai-Like; Blue Bossa; Boogie Woogie Bossa Nova; Point Set on Ahmad; Facing Wes; Minus Mingus; In Walked Monk; Three Quarter Miles, A Little Wes; Diaspora
TOM O’HARE AND GUNTHER FISCHER FEAT. JAMES WILLIAMS – MoodJazz CD 103 Tom O’Hare, vbs; Gunther Fischer, ts; James Williams, pno; April Mist; Sound for Sore Ears; Falling Grace; Time and Place; Velas; A Child Is Born; By Myself; Desire; For You, For Me, For Evermore; Morning Dance; Helen’s Ritual; Hello; Shaker Song.
Greg Osby: ART FORUM – Blue Note CDP 7243 8 37319 2 3 (1996) w/Greg Osby, Cleave Guyton, Robin Eubanks, Alex Harden, James Williams, Darrell Grant, Bryan Carrott, Marvin Sewell, Lonnie Plaxico, Jeff “Tain”
Miss D’Meena; Mood for Thought; I Didn’t Know About You; 2nd Born to Freedom; Dialectical Interchange; Don’t Explain; Half Moon Step; Perpetuity.
Billy Pierce: WILLIAM THE CONQUERER – Sunnyside SSC 1013, SSC 1013DD and SSC 9013D (New York, (May 29 and 30, 1985) Bill Pierce, ssax/ts; James Williams, pno; John Lockwood, bs; Keith Copeland, dms. Blue Nostalgia; Pannonica; Color Blind; Over the Edge; William the Conqueror; Sudan Blue; We’ll Be Together Again; Nature Folk Song.
Emily Remler: TAKE TWO – Concord Jazz CJ 195 and CCD 4195 (New York, June, 1982) Emily Remler, James Williams, Don Thompson, Terry Clarke. Cannonball; In Your Own Sweet Way; For Regulars Only; Search for Peace; Pocket West; Waltz for My Grandfather; Afro Blue; Eleuthra
Marvin “Smitty” Smith: THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED – Concord Jazz CJ 379 and CCD 4379 (New York, February, 1989) Wallace Roney, Steve Coleman, Ralph Moore, Robin Eubanks, James Williams, Robert Hurst, Marvin Smitty Smith, Kenyatte Abdur-Rahman. The Neighborhood; I’ll Love You Always; Wish You Were Here With Me; Salsa Blue; Gothic; Concerto in G; The Road Less Traveled.
Dave Stryker: BLUE TO THE BONE III – SteepleChase SCCD 31524 (March 2001) w/ Dave Stryker, Brian Lynch, Steve Slagle, Clark Gayton, Bob Parsons, James Williams, Jay Anderson, Tim Horner. Stan’s Shuffle; Complicity; Crazy House; If 6 Was 9; For Jack and T; Going Home; So Long Eric; Soulful Mr. Timmons; Doin’ the Bone
Rich Thompson w/James Williams: EVENTUALLY – Mark MJS-57629 (Clarence, New York, March 27 and 28, 1988) Jeff Beal, tpt; Dave Glasser, as; Tom Christensen, ts; James Williams, pno; Bob Stata, bs; Rich Thompson, d.
Frank Tiberi: TIBERIAN MODE – JAM Records NYJAM 1199 (Jan. 15-16, 1999) w/Rank Tiberi, Lovano, George Garzone, Andy Laverne, James Williams, Ray Drummond, Adam Nussbaum. Spets Esrever; Stella By Starlight; I Have Loved; Retrospect; The Garz and I; The Champ; Confusion; Body and Soul; Cherry Key.
Jack Walrath: MASTER OF SUSPENSE – Blue Note BLJ-46905 and CDP7-46905-2 (New York, September 19, 1986) Jack Walrath, tpt; Willie Nelson, gtr/voc; Kenny Garrett, as; Carter Jefferson, ts; Steve Turre, trb; James Williams, pno; Anthony Cox, bs; Ronnie Burrage, dms. Meat; Children; No Mystery; A Study in Porcine; The Lord’s Calypso; I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry; Monk on the Moon; A Hymn for the Discontented.
Jack Walrath: NEOHIPPUS – Blue Note BI-91101 and CDP7-91101-2 (New York, August 19 and 24,1988) Jack Walrath, tpt; Carter Jefferson, ts/cl; John Abercrombie, gtr; James Williams, pno; Anthony Cox; Ronnie Burrage, dms. Village of the Darned; Watch Your Head; Fright Night; Annie Lee; England; Beer!; Future Reference; Smell of the Blues.
Frank Walton Sextet: THE BACK STEP (HanWal, 2011) Frank Walton, tpt; Jaleel Shaw, as; Lance Bryant; James Williams, pno.; John Lockwood, bs; Yoron Israel, dms. The Back Step; The Move, Pt. 1; Old Folks; Mamacita; The Move, Pt. 2.
Sadao Watanabe: PARKER’S MOOD – Warner P-13200 (Tokyo, Japan, July 13, 1985) Sadao Watanabe, as; James Williams, pno; Charnett Moffett, bs; Jeff “Tain” Watts, dms. Stella By Starlight; Everything Happens to Me; Lament; Billy’s Bounce; I Thought About You; Parker’s Mood; Bird of Paradise; Beautiful Love.
Sadao Watanabe: TOKYO DATING – Warner P-13219 (Tokyo, Japan, July 15 and 16, 1985 and Spicewood, Texas, June 9, 1987) Sadao Watanabe, as; James Williams, pno; Charnett Moffett, bs; Jeff “Tain” Watts, dms. Tokyo Dating; Echo; Night Piece; Hip Walk; Pagliacci; A Child Is Born; Dindi; Song of The Jet.
Bobby Watson: ALL BECAUSE OF YOU – Roulette SR 5010 (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, September 1, 1978) Robert Watson, Charles Bowen, Curtis Fuller, James Williams, Pamela Watson, Ray Drummond, Victor Lewis. In Maya’s Apartment; All Because of You; Fuller Love; Pamela; A Second Party; Days of Wine and Roses
Lemuel West: IN GOOD COMPANY: THE NEW YORK SESSIONS CAT Productions (March 4-5-1999) w/Lemuel West, Billy Pierce, Chris Biesterfeldt, James Williams, Ron Savage, Tom Elliott. Falling in Love with Love; Nature Boy; When You Wish Upon A Star; Ain’t Midbehavin’; Blame It On My Youth; After the Lights Go Down Low; Will You Love Me Tomorrow?; Bein’ Green; When I Fall In Love; But Not for Me; Over the Rainbow.
Joe Wilder: ALONE WITH JUST MY DREAMS (Jazz Heritage, 1991) Joe Wilder, tpt/flugel; James Williams, pno; Remo Palmier, gtr; Jay Leonhart, bs; Sherman Ferguson, dms; But Not For Me; Everything Happens to Me; I Will Wait for You; Answer Me, My Love; Far Away Places; Alone With Just My Dreams; Wonderland; I Love You; It Might As Well Be Spring; Struttin’ With Some Barbeque; Joe’s Blues; What a Wonderful World.
Rickey Woodard: THE TOKYO EXPRESS – Candid CCD79527 (Live at Birdland, NYC, June 22-23, 1992) w/ Rickey Woodard, James Williams, Christian McBride, Joe Chambers. Recorda-Me; The Very Thought of You; Just Friends; Sand Dance; Easy Living; Groovy Samba; Polka Dots and Moonbeams; The Tokyo Express.
