The
Greg Williamson Quartet
Description: Jazz, Swing, Dance
Variety
Categories: seattle jazz band, swing, variety,
dance band
Markets: Seattle, Tacoma, Boise, Portland, Spokane,
Couer d'Alene, Sun Valley, USA
Available for: private functions, weddings, corporate,
holiday parties, resorts
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[Audio & Video
Samples]
"Jazz Times Best of The Year"
YEAR IN REVIEW CRITICS PICKS, TOP TEN by Harvey Siders
Greg Williamson began playing drums and piano at an early age, listening
to the record collection of his parents, always returning to that curious
double live LP by Thelonious Monk. His mother still takes credit for
bringing him - at an age less than one year - to concerts of Duke Ellington
and Louis Armstrong in 1965. By the time he hit high school, ha had
won several college festival awards. In 1986 he gained a degree in jazz
studies from Western Washington University, also studying classical
percussion & composition. During this time he played many musicals,
big band shows, local gigs, and was principal percussion, timpanist
and clinician with the Seattle Youth Symphony.
"His enthusiasm is infectious...
something very special."
- Earshot Jazz
He also began performing, touring and recording with jazz singer, Downbeat
Poll winner, and Grammy nominated vocalist Ernestine Anderson. Still
working with Ernestine, he has toured Japan numerous times, Brazil,
and all around the US . Several years later he also began working with
legendary pianist and funnyman Steve Allen, doing night club dates,
big band shows, Las Vegas showrooms, and a revival of the original "Tonight
Show" - a touring ensemble including Louis Nye and Bill "Jose
Jimenez" Dana, working with the great pianist Paul Smith, a veteran
of Ella Fitzgerald, CBS Orchestra, and many others. This again gave
more opportunities for performing with the great stars of jazz, swing,
and film. Joe Williams, Steve & Edie, Buddy Grecco, and more. His
collective "played with" list is extensive.
"Retro and cool, Williamson's [Quintet]
spins out wonderfully smooth grooves..."
- by Gene Stout, Seattle P-I Pop Music Critic
Greg played many yearswith Brian Nova, a swinging guitarist and protégé
of jazz legends Herb Ellis and Joe Pass. This group toured extensively,
including month-long annual trips through Japan. The group performed
with other great artists, including rock and blues superstar Steve Miller.
Greg also spent several years with Sinatra-style wise guy HB Radke,
performing for swooning swing-dancers, national sports crowds, and even
as a personality on national shock-jock radio with Tom Leykis. Altogether
Greg has appeared on more than 40 CDs, and can often be heard backing
up a variety singers and jazzers up and down the west coast.
Sample
Songlist (pdf)
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