Black rimmed Ray Bans and a 10pm hit set the atmosphere as Ben Williams steps onto the bandstand. He picks up his bass and pauses. After a moment of silent conversation, he raises his head and begins to play. Phrases bubble over the moments between moments, but the presence of pulse is deliberate. Each player embraces a collective exploration that has become a distinctive … [Read more...]
Matthew Stevens – “Ashes” (Video)
Another video by Matthew Stevens, Ben Williams and Eric Doob has surfaced in a series christened “Live Off the Floor”. The video, filmed at the Victory Social Club in Toronto, is for an original by Stevens entitled “Ashes”, of which two renditions appear on the guitarist’s debut album, Woodwork, physically released last week on Whirlwind Recordings. Watch the video below as … [Read more...]
Ben Williams Celebrates His ‘Coming of Age’ in Berlin
Known for his work in the Pat Metheny Unity Band, and the Next Collective, Ben Williams is one of those artists who represent the fresh wind that has been blowing through jazz in recent years. For the promotion of his sophomore album as a leader titled Coming of Age, Williams brought his Sound Effect quintet to Europe for an eleven-day tour. I caught the band playing A-Trane … [Read more...]
Matthew Stevens – Processional (Video)
2015 marks a new beginning for guitarist Matt Stevens. The veteran sideman to revered musicians Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Ben Williams, Esperanza Spalding and Harvey Mason is finally carving his own path as a leader. Following a run of concerts in March, Stevens put together this gem of a video for one of his compositions entitled “Processional” featuring Ben Williams on … [Read more...]
Win an Autographed Copy of Ben Williams’ ‘Coming of Age’
We can’t stop singing the praise of Ben Williams’ newest opus Coming of Age over here at Nextbop. We’ve already posted the teaser for the album as well as a few singles notably Williams’ cover of Lianna La Havas’ “Lost & Found featuring Christian Scott on trumpet but also two originals entitled "Black Villain Music" and "Half Steppin" in anticipation of the release. Well the … [Read more...]