James Williams discusses the influence of Art Blakey on his work

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.55MB)

James Williams on Wynton Marsalis

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.40MB)

James Williams talks about recording with Concord

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.27MB)

If you are experiencing problems playing audio on this site,
please update to the latest version of Flash.

Transcription

Q: “Was it through [Billy Pierce’s] auspices that you got to make your first recording for Concord? I think Art was doing records for Concord for a while…”

A: “He had come out and done a recording for ... and he didn't know, you know, anything about Carl Jefferson. It was mainly on the strength of Louis Bellson had done an album say, and Louis had called him, you know, more or less, you know, and said, "Hey, this guy was interested in doing it." So kind of because he and Louis were friends, he said, "Okay," he said, "Yeah, I'll do a project for him." And that's what happened. We did a live album at the Keystone Corner in San Francisco, and yeah, it was to edit and to record an album that came to the attention of the producers at that time there for the label named Frank Doherty. And who was, I guess, Jefferson's right-hand man.”