Jazz88 celebrates the birthday of legendary bassist Buster Williams, born on this day in Camden, New Jersey. Williams made his first recordings at the age of seventeen, while working with the tenor saxophone duo of Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt. He became a favorite accompanist for several great jazz singers, including Dakota Staton, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn, and Carmen McRae. Williams became well-known for his work in Herbie Hancock‘s sextet in the early seventies. Introduced to chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo by his sister in 1972, Williams and his wife took up the Nichiren Buddhist practice after she suffered a concussion in a car accident, and he has continued the practice ever since. He inspired Herbie Hancock to start chanting as well and Williams credits it with for his health and longevity. At the age of 82, Williams remains one of the most revered bassists in jazz, in a class with a handful of players like Dave Holland, Ron Carter, and Rufus Reid. A documentary about Williams can be found here.
Write Up By Peter Solomon
