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Description:

Celebrating the release of his debut album State of Art, Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition winner Ben Williams brings his band Sound Effect to Harlem Stage. Join them as they embark on a musical exploration of contemporary times encompassing jazz, soul, pop, hip hop and go-go.

This will be Williams' first performance at Harlem Stage. As an emerging Harlem-based artist, he is one of the newest generations of musicians that is helping to push the legacy of jazz forward, which is central to Harlem’s artistic legacy and what Harlem Stage strives to do with its Harlem Stride series. His work while rooted in jazz is informed by contemporary times and music which helps to make him relevant and accessible to a diverse audience while simultaneously speaking for a younger generation.

Band:

Ben Williams - Bass

Marcus Strickland - Sax

Jaleel Shaw - Sax

Matt Stevens - Guitar

Gerald Clayton - Piano/Keys

Jamire Williams - Drums

Etienne Charles - Percussion

and special guest John Robinson

Artists Bio:

Ben Williams

In late October 2009, Ben Williams took top prize in the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition (judged this year by the likes of Ron Carter, Charlie Haden and Dave Holland). However, attentive jazz listeners have known Ben Williams for some time, as a member of Stefon Harris's Blackout (hear him on last year's Urbanus), Marcus Strickland's Idiosyncrasies trio, Jacky Terrasson's current trio and other leading bands. A Washington, DC native, Ben attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, graduated from Michigan State University and earned his Masters at Juilliard.