LONDON: Vortex

TUE 4TH JUN, 2013 8.00pm

Finn Peters-alto saxophone and flute
Josh Arcoleo-tenor saxophone
Kit Downes-piano
Sam Lasserson-bass
Jeff Williams-drums and compositions

Drummer/composer Jeff Williams is a familiar presence at the Vortex with Martin Speake, the Phil Robson/Dave Liebman Quartet, various Hans Koller ensembles and others.
Last May he recorded his New York-based quartet's (Duane Eubanks, John O'Gallagher, John Hébert) live performance at the Vortex, resulting in the group's new CD, The Listener (Whirlwind Recordings Ltd), copies of which will be available this evening, as will the previous release, Another Time, selected by Downbeat as one of the best CDs of 2012.

For the past two years Jeff's UK group has been featured at the London Jazz Festival.
John Turney declared in the London Jazz Blog, "...gem of the festival: I doubt if there was anyone doing jazz better, anywhere this evening".
Now a quintet (Finn Peters-alto saxophone and flute, Josh Arcoleo-tenor saxophone, Phil Robson-guitar and Sam Lasserson-bass), and a showcase for Williams' originals, tonight's performance is followed by the group's appearance at the Amazonas Jazz Festival in Brazil in July which will be recorded for future release.

In Phil Robson's absence tonight is special guest Kit Downes.

In a career spanning four decades Jeff Williams has worked with Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie,
Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Cedar Walton, John Abercrombie, Art Farmer and numerous others.
Perhaps best known for his contributions to Dave Liebman's '70s cooperative, Lookout Farm, Jeff is also heard on key recordings by Bill McHenry, Ethan Iverson, Mike Gibbs, Nikki Iles, Barry Green, Konitz, Speake, Koller and many more.
Visit Jeff on the web at www.willfulmusic.com