Biography of Tony Williams

The arrival of drummer Tony Williams into the Miles Davis group altered the trumpeter's course in a way no one had since the brief stay of Bill Evans. Where Miles's early '60s work fell off the pace of the previous decade, Williams kicked the old book into overdrive. The mid '60s brought him recognition as the decade's most important jazz drummer, rivaled only by Elvin Jones. The original Lifetime lineup was one of the most volatile ensembles anywhere, and a later version of the group with guitarist Alan Holdsworth remains sadly underrated. With the '80s came a return to acoustic jazz with a fine, long-running group, furthering William's reputation as a composer and bandleader. Through all of his various phases, Tony Williams remains one of the most astonishing and musical drummers ever. ~ Steve Aldrich