PRESS RELEASE
6/11/03
VERMONT JAZZ CENTER
74 COTTON MILL HILL, #222
BRATTLEBORO, VT, 05301
802 _ 254 9088
INFO@VTJAZZ.ORG
WWW.VTJAZZ.ORG
The Vermont Jazz Center welcomes legendary pianist, Claude Williamson
back to his hometown Pianist Claude Williamson is coming to Brattleboro for his 60th
high-school reunion. This is exciting for all of his friends, but it is a delight
for jazz fans and historians. Williamson is one of the foremost pianists
who bridged the imaginary gap between the East Coastıs bebop scene and the
West Coastıs cool school in the early 1950s. His playing invokes the
burning spirit of Bud Powell yet, summons the more languid side of jazz
reminiscent of those he played and recorded with like Chet Baker, Tal Farlow, Art
Pepper and Gerry Mulligan. Williamson is a deft pianist who embodies the
spirit of jazz during one of its most fertile periods. He will be performing in
two shows at the Vermont Jazz Center on Friday, June 20th (at 7:30 and
9:15) and will be supported by a creative rhythm section who can accompany
Williamsonıs bebop style with authenticity and energy. Best known for
their work with the Boston Trio "the Fringe," bassist John Lockwood and
drummer Bob Gullotti are jazz masters in their own right who have internalized
the bebop language and turned it into a form of modern communication.
Claude Williamson is a 1944 graduate of Brattleboro High School who
later moved to the West Coast where he is now considered a jazz legend.
Williamson began his professional career in 1947 as a member of the
Charlie Barnet Orchestra. He was singer June Christyıs accompanist for two
years (1950-51) and, following a stint in the army, joined Howard Rumseyıs
Lighthouse All-stars for the remainder of the 1950s. He has appeared
on recordings with many dozens of jazz luminaries, including Gerry
Mulligan, Art Pepper, Barney Kessel, Dave Pell, the Four Freshman, Benny Carter,
Johnny Hodges, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Rosolino, Pete Rugolo, Conte
Candoli, and Bud Shank.
During the 60ıs and 70ıs Williamson worked in television, composing and
arranging for the Smothers Brothers, Donnie and Marie Osmond and Sonny
and Cher. His career as a jazz player was revitalized in the 1980ıs when
he began touring the world and playing club dates and festivals in the Los
Angeles area. Now Williamson is an elder statesman of jazz. He most
often works in the typical jazz trio setting with piano, bass and drums.
Lately he has bee recording and playing live with Los Angeles musicians,
bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Paul Kreibich. His most recent recordings
are "Hallucinations" and "Live at the Jazz Bakery." Williamson has
recorded 17 albums and has toured the U.S., Japan, Europe and South Africa.
One of the fascinating aspects of jazz is how musicians are connected
by the repertoire and the improvisational language. Musicians such as
Williamson can meet a great rhythm section, such as Gullotti and Lockwood, "talk
down" the tune, and with no rehearsal, be off on a journey that involves
subtle orientation and creative input from all involved. The interaction of
the musicians results in a rhythmical groove that carries the tune, thus
giving it an energy that they can "ride" on. Above this locked-in groove,
they can now create new melodies and interact with each other melodically and
rhythmically; these conversations are the minutiae that jazz aficionados
relish, catching the nuances of discourse and rejoicing in its temporal
nature.
Lockwood and Gullotti are experts in this field: they have played
together for over twenty years, and are involved in The Fringe, an experimental,
"free" trio with genius saxophonist George Garzone that has won
numerous awards. Their interaction is a given, as is their knowledge of jazz
styles and repertoire. They are considered "the" rhythm section in Boston and
have appeared as a team and separately on dozens of recordings. Lockwood
has appeared on recordings with Benny Carter, Geoff Keezer, James Williams,
Luciana Souze, Mel Lewis, Phil Woods, Billy Pierce, Yoron Israel and
numerous others. Gullotti, along with his work with The Fringe is seen
as the father of "Jam Band" drumming. His experience includes tours of
Europe, South America, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and the United
States with his own band and with such well-known artists as Gay Bartz and
Eddie Henderson. Bob has performed with such jazz notables as J.J. Johnson,
John Abercrombie, George Mraz, Joe Lovano, and Miroslav Vitous and the rock
group Phish. He has over fifty recordings to his credit.
The Claude Williamson Quartet featuring John Lockwood and Bob Gullotti
will be performing in two shows at the Vermont Jazz Center on Friday, June
20th at 7:30 and 9:15. Each show will cost $10.00, general admission.
$2.00 will be added to tickets purchased at the gate. To reserve tickets,
call the Vermont Jazz Center at (802) 254-9088, or email them at
info@vtjazz.org.
This is a rare opportunity to hear a West Coast jazz legend in
Brattleboro playing with such a dynamic rhythm section. It is believed that the
first show will sell out.
Linear Mode
