HutchFan

They're sitting on the drum cases.

Buster Williams Quartet - Lost in a Memory (TCB Records, 1999)

Some photos of Buster: with Herbie Hancock & Billy Hart I'm sure that many of you have already seen it, but I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend Buster's documentary: Buster Williams Bass to Infinity.

Chico Freeman - Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit (Contemporary, 1980) I recently bought some new speakers, and this is one of the LPs that I brought to the hi-fi shop to the try out various models. I know this LP inside-out, and the AQ is outstanding.

There doesn't appear to be a thread dedicated to the great bassist Buster Williams, so I've decided to start one. Over the last month or two, I've been on a big Buster kick, listening to his recordings both as a leader and sideman. He's got such an immaculate swing feeling. And that totally distinctive tone! Whenever Buster appears on a record, he elevates those around him. Just for kicks, I compiled a list of some of my favorite records that feature Buster in a sideman role. Here it is, in no particular order: Chet Baker - Peace (Enja) Herbie Hancock - Mwandishi (Warner Brothers) Kenny Barron - Golden Lotus (Muse) Norman Connors - Love from the Sun (Buddah) Sonny Fortune - Waves of Dreams (A&M/Horizon) Buck Hill - Scope (SteepleChase) Shirley Horn - A Lazy Afternoon (SteepleChase) Bobby Hutcherson - Farewell Keystone (Theresa/Evidence) Buddy Terry - Pure Dynamite (Mainstream) McCoy Tyner - Sama Layuca (Milestone) Bill Barron - Jazz Caper (Muse) Franco Ambrosetti - Wings (Enja) Stanley Cowell - We Three (DIW) Joe Farrell - Outback (CTI) Chico Freeman - Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit (Contemporary) Carlos Garnett - Black Love (Muse) Freddie Hubbard - Outpost (Enja) Eric Kloss - Essence (Muse) Charles Sullivan - Re-Entry (WhyNot) James Williams - The Arioso Touch (Concord) Larry Willis - The Big Push (HighNote) Denny Zeitlin - Slick Rock (MAXJAZZ) Sonny Simmons & Prince Lasha - Firebirds (Contemporary) Harold Land - The Peace-Maker (Cadet) Woody Shaw - Woody III (Columbia) Jimmie Rowles - Grandpaws (Choice) Bennie Maupin - The Jewel in the Lotus (ECM) Hilton Ruiz - Piano Man (SteepleChase) Mary Lou Williams - Free Spirits (SteepleChase) Ron Carter - Piccolo (Milestone) Black Renaissance - Body, Mind and Spirit (Baystate/Luv N' Haight) Cedar Walton - Among Friends (Theresa/Evidence) Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya - African River (Enja) Donald Brown - Sources of Inspiration (Muse) Gary Bartz - Episode 1: Children Of Harlem (Challenge) Geri Allen - The Gathering (Verve) Steve Kuhn - Love Walked In (Venus/Sunnyside) Steve Turre - Lotus Flower (Verve) Jeff Lederer - Sunwatcher (Jazzheads) Also, this morning, Ethan Iverson posted a message about Buster on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/iverson/p/buster-williams-in-the-news?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email Iverson extensively quotes drummer Billy Hart's take on Buster. Fascinating reading! So do you enjoy Buster's playing? If so, what are your favorite recordings -- either as a leader or sideman? Concerts? Interactions? Let's discuss Buster!

with Roland Hanna, George Mraz & Richie Pratt

Melvin Sparks - Sparkling (Muse, 1982)

Sonny Stitt - Blues for Duke (Muse, rec. 1975) Sonny Stitt - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone Barry Harris - piano Sam Jones - bass Billy Higgins - drums

Lorez Alexandria - How Will I Remember You? (Discovery, 1978)

More Lutosławski from Esa-Pekka Salonen & the LAPO:

Mack Avenue reissue Not much traffic here lately. I'd love to see what YOU have been listening to!

Laurent Coq Quartet – Like a Tree in the City (Sunnyside, 2003) Piano – Laurent Coq Tenor Saxophone – Jérôme Sabbagh Bass – Brandon Owens Drums – Damion Reid

More brilliance from Chick Corea: with Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes

Now spinning one of my desert-island discs: Chick Corea - Return to Forever (ECM, 1972)

First listen:

Kenny Barron for me too:

Now spinning: LP 1: - La Mer - Prélude À L'Après-Midi D'un Faune - Premiere Rapsodie - Marche Écossaise