Jeff Williams Quintet at Sheffield Jazz at Millennium Hall

One of the world’s top drummers, American Jeff Williams cut his teeth backing the likes of Stan Getz, Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano and this quintet features some of the UK’s leading young players plus John O’Gallagher, Jeff’s alto saxophonist from New York where he has become known for his projects as a leader, and as a sought-after sideman, working with artists such as Joe Henderson, Maria Schneider, Billy Hart, and numerous others.

In a career spanning four decades on the New York jazz scene Jeff Williams’ musical associates have included Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman Joe Lovano, Paul Bley, and Ethan Iverson. Since making a second home in London, following marriage to novelist Lionel Shriver, Jeff has performed in the UK with Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, and has toured with McHenry, Konitz, the Phil Robson/Dave Liebman Quartet, and Martin Speake’s Change of Heart (with Bobo Stenson) while also collaborating with Hans Koller, Mike Gibbs, Nikki Iles and many others. He has released two acclaimed albums of original compositions on the Whirlwind label and is planning a third....

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One of the world’s top drummers, American Jeff Williams cut his teeth backing the likes of Stan Getz, Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano and this quintet features some of the UK’s leading young players plus John O’Gallagher, Jeff’s alto saxophonist from New York where he has become known for his projects as a leader, and as a sought-after sideman, working with artists such as Joe Henderson, Maria Schneider, Billy Hart, and numerous others.

In a career spanning four decades on the New York jazz scene Jeff Williams’ musical associates have included Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman Joe Lovano, Paul Bley, and Ethan Iverson. Since making a second home in London, following marriage to novelist Lionel Shriver, Jeff has performed in the UK with Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, and has toured with McHenry, Konitz, the Phil Robson/Dave Liebman Quartet, and Martin Speake’s Change of Heart (with Bobo Stenson) while also collaborating with Hans Koller, Mike Gibbs, Nikki Iles and many others. He has released two acclaimed albums of original compositions on the Whirlwind label and is planning a third.

John O’Gallagher is considered one of the most compelling alto saxophonists and composers at work today on the New York jazz scene. He is known for an innovative style which pushes the boundaries of jazz while rooted in its tradition. Born in Anaheim Califorina in 1964 he began playing alto saxophone in grade school after his family moved to Spokane, Washington. Upon graduating high school he studied briefly at Eastern Washington University before moving to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. There he studied with legendary saxophone gurus Joe Viola, Jerry Bergonzi and George Garzone.

Josh Arcoleo, was a 2011 1st class degree graduate of the Royal Academy of music (where he had one to one lessons with Jeff) while also winning a Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholarship and the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize, the latter being a recording contract with Edition Records for his debut album Beginnings. In addition to leading his own groups he has toured with artists ranging from Pee Wee Ellis to Joss Stone.

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