24 • July 28, 2022 - August 3, 2022
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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS R T S & E N T E R T A
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LEROY WILLIAMS, CONSUMMATE DRUMMER, DIES AT 85
Leroy Williams playing with Jason Moran in celebration of Thelonius Monk (Susan Reeves photo)
Leroy Williams the consummate drummer, who earned an international reputation playing in large and small ensembles, primarily as a defined contributor (calling him a sideman would be an understatement), recording with the likes of Hank Mobley, Andrew Hill, Barry Harris and Charles McPherson, died on June 1. He was 85. Upon arriving in New York City in the 1960s, his reputation preceded him having honed his percussion skills, playing in a variety of clubs in his hometown of Chicago. Williams is best known for his 50-year span performing and recording with pianist and composer Barry Harris. He also along with fellow drummer Jimmy Lovelace played integral roles as teacher and mentor in Harris’ weekly jazz workshops. During the late 1970s, he played with a host of noted bands at Jazzmobile summer concerts, where he performed intermittently into the 1990s. Williams inspired many young musicians as an instructor at Jazzmobile’s weekly Saturday jazz workshops in Harlem. “Leroy was a good friend and musician-mate, who was not only an excellent drummer but wonderful person to work with and be associated with,” said bassist and composer Paul West (former director of Jazzmobile 1969-73). Williams was a respected elder-
statesman of jazz, having the opportunity to see the legends Charlie Parker and Lester Young perform live while having conversations with drummers Papa Joe Jones and Art Blakey. These experiences represented decades of musical wisdom and rich traditions that he gladly shared with a cross-section of students throughout the United States and abroad. When not on the road, Williams was a regular at the Columbia University Center for Jazz Studies functions. “He often visited my jazz classes. Once we had a program called [Percussion Discussion], with tap dancers featured along with great drummers,” said Robert O’Meally, Zora Neale Hurston professor, Columbia University. “When in a pinch we needed someone to trade eights with Jimmy Slyde, the master tapper, Leroy volunteered. And the two of them lit up the room: Jimmy drumming with his feet, Leroy tap dancing with his sticks on the drums.” “You need to see the beat,” he said to a group of students at Columbia University encouraging them to attend “live” music in concerts or clubs, to watch the music-makers in action. Leroy Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois on Feb. 3, 1937, his mother was the choir pianist for the church pastored by her father. He attended DuSable High School, famous for its music program under the direction of legendary Captain Walter H. Dyett, whose pupils included Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan, and Charles Davis. Williams
did not study with Dyett, but he recommended him for tutelage under the local master-percussionist, Oliver Coleman. Williams’ first gigs included work with bassist Wilbur Ware, who was his most important early mentor. In 1967 when Williams arrived in New York, Ware was already there. “Wilbur was very encouraging to me, he helped give me confidence. It was Wilbur who hooked me Leroy Williams (S. Ferry photo) (Jill Williams photo) up with Hank Mobley in New York,” explained from that to make everything I the beat allows the other musicians Williams. In the summer of 1970 did play count for something, no to play in front of it or behind it withWare recommended Williams to extra flash.” In the 1990s he was a out losing the flow,” stated author play with Thelonious Monk, whose member of the group El Molleni- and critic Stanley Crouch. regular band had just broken up. um with guitarist Roni Ben-Hur, Williams was a deeply spiritual “Come on, man,” Wilbur had said, pianist Bertha Hope, and bassist player who could light up a room “are you ready?!” With Monk, Wil- Walter Booker. with his smile or sizzling drum liams played a week at the Village Williams’ great musicianship as a kit. Those who knew him would Vanguard, a week in Raleigh, and drummer, which made blissful and notice him approaching at least a local gigs around Manhattan. “I hard swinging notes colorful visions block away, he had this super cool learned a lot just watching Monk, floating in the air, was grossly un- strut, a Chicago-Harlem stroll, and from the few things he would derrated by the critics at large. To a hip flow like a Lou Donaldson tell me directly,” said Williams in a his fellow musicians such as Johnny solo, he will be missed. conversation shared with O’Meally. Griffin, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Heath, Save this date: September 14, “He dug my time, but one night, and Ray Bryant, he was on the top 2022 is when family and friends will maybe I was trying to show too of their drummer call list. He record- celebrate the life of Leroy Williams much technique, and he turned to ed extensively with Barry Harris, at the Interchurch Center, Clareme and said, ‘Leroy, we’ve got all Junior Cook and Charles McPher- mont Avenue at 120th St. Manhatnight to play, baby.’ Well, I learned son. “Leroy Williams’ placement of tan. More details will follow.
