Ira "Buddy" Williams (born December 17, 1952, in New York City)[1] is an American jazz drummer. He has played with Grover Washington, Cedar Walton, David Sanborn, Kirk Whalum, Joe Sample, The Manhattan Transfer, Nat Adderley, Roberta Flack, McCoy Tyner and others.[2][3][4][5][6] Willams is a past member of the Saturday Night Live Band,[7] and has done drums and percussion for theatrical works including Hello, Dolly!, Motown: The Musical, The Color Purple, among others.[8][9][10][11][12]
Buddy Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ira "Buddy" Williams |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1976-present |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | New York City |
| Instruments | Drums |
In 2024, Williams received the New York City Musicians Collective Honors award.[13]
Early life and education
editBuddy Willams started playing professionally at eight years old. He attended High School of Music and Art during which time he played with the group "Natural Essence". Williams graduated from Manhattan School of Music.[14]
Career
editIn Leonard Feather’s 1976 review of Nat Adderley’s Adderley Quintet debut performance in Los Angeles, he described "an explosive drummer named Buddy Williams."[5]
During the early 1980s, he toured with Corea and Return to Forever, then worked with Bobby Lyle, Eliane Elias, David Benoit, Michel Petrucciani and McCoy Tyner, playing on his "Looking Out" album.[15]
In 1981, Williams co-wrote "Rollin' On" and "Ballad for D." with Roberta Flack for the Bustin' Loose soundtrack.[6][16]
Discography
editAs sideman
editWith Nat Adderley
- Don't Look Back (SteepleChase, 1976)
- Hummin' (Little David, 1976)
With Andy Bey
- Experience and Judgment (Atlantic, 1974)
With Carla Bley
- Fleur Carnivore (Watt, 1989)
With Doug Carn
- Revelation (Black Jazz, 1973)
With George Freeman
- Man & Woman (Groove Merchant, 1974)
With Dizzy Gillespie
- Closer to the Source (Atlantic, 1984)
With Dave Grusin
- Dave Grusin & The GRP All-Stars - Live in Japan (Arista Records, 1981)
With Roberta Flack
- Rollin' On (MCA, 1981)
- Ballad for D. (MCA, 1981)
With Jaroslav Jakubovic
- Checkin' In (Columbia, 1978)
With Howard Johnson and Gravity
- Testimony (Tuscarora, 2017)
With Hugh Masekela
- Main Event Live (A&M, 1978)
With Lee Ritenour
- Rio (1979)
With David Sanborn
- Straight to the Heart (Warner Bros. Records, 1984)
With Sonny Sharrock & Linda Sharrock
- Paradise (ATCO Records, 1975)
With Valerie Simpson
- Valerie Simpson (Tamla, 1972)
With Lonnie Liston Smith
- Dreams of Tomorrow (Doctor Jazz, 1983)
With Bob Stewart
- Goin' Home (JMT, 1989)
With McCoy Tyner
- Looking Out (Columbia, 1982)
With Luther Vandross
- Never Too Much (Epic, 1981)
With Cedar Walton
- Animation (Columbia, 1978)
- Soundscapes (Columbia, 1980)
References
edit- ^ Rick Mattingly, "Buddy Williams". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. 2nd edition, ed. Barry Kernfeld, 2004.
- ^ "Buddy Williams: Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Buddy Williams — Going For The Feeling". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Buddy Williams". Playbill. 14 Nov 2022. Retrieved 14 Nov 2022.
- ^ a b "At Concerts By The Sea, Adderley Quintet in Local Debut By Leonard Feather". The Los Angeles Times. 1976-10-07. p. 82. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ a b "Bustin' Loose, Roberta Flack MCA". The Birmingham News. 1981-06-22. p. 17. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Zuanich, Barbara (4 Feb 1980). "Behind the Scenes, Saturday Night's Live Band". The Daily American. p. 8. Retrieved 14 Nov 2022.
- ^ "Hello, Dolly!". Broadwaymusicians.com. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Buddy Williams – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ Zuanich, Barbara (1980-01-10). "Saturday Night's Live Band". Bonners Ferry Herald. p. 64. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
- ^ Davis, Phil (1980-09-20). "Al Jarreau - fiery and funky". The Capital Times. p. 10. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
- ^ Kanzler, George (1984-10-31). "Drummers analyze their 'beat streets'". The Star-Ledger. p. 57. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
- ^ "New York City Musicians Collective Honors - LaGuardia Community College". Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Buddy Williams | Yamaha Artists". www.yamaha.com. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ "Record Reviews By Bill Missett". North County Times. 1982-07-22. p. 27. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Bustin' Loose [Music from the Original Motion ... | AllMusic, retrieved 2025-06-19