I saw this band perform in Norfolk, Va at a Holiday Inn. I was sitting next to Tony during his brakes. he just sat and smoked a cigar and stared at his drums. He did not say one word. I got my nerve up to say hi to him. I had been drumming around the area for years at the time. He was one of the most gracious, humble , and kind persons I ever met. I had a chance to speak with him for about one hour. When I shook his hand I noticed there were absolutely no calluses from hold the sticks and playing the way he did. He knew how to gage himself wer, each set sounded 100% better then the one before. After 4 hours of this it was ecstasy. Public Radio showed up to record him. Tony told them he was there to play for the people and to stop it. I remember driving to a gig in the white Mountain area of New Hampshire, U.S. when I heard he died. I pulled the car over a cried. He was a friend and I still miss him. I hope he will find peace with God.
I met him once on the street outside the club he was playing in Canada. Exactly as you described. I'm not a musician but love his contributions to the music over the years.
@@Rocket57ca In 1976 I attended a drum workshop given by Alan Dawson who taught Tony Williams. That day I learned enough to keep me busy for years. In 1977 I was offered a 3 year contract and study with Buddy Rich while doing a gig with Terry Stafford. This does not happen in the business often. Times have changed.
I was living in Daly City, CA within sight of the hospital when he passed away following surgery. It was very sad to think of how much more music he had to give us and time he should have had with his family. That's so cool you got to hang out with him!
Saw this lineup at the jazz showcase in Chicago in 88 or 89 in high school. I sat with my feet on the drum riser and was literally within arms reach the whole show. I was a metal drummer with hair down to my waist, and was only there because my teacher told me the absolute best drummer in the world was in town and I better go see him, and get there a few hours early to get a good seat. Never heard of him before that. He watched me and showed out for me all set once he figured out I was studying him, winked at me before a few flurries, and before a long solo told me "watch this, kid". I even got invited to sit in the booth with the band after the set and talk with Tony and Mulgrew and Wallace. He even gave me practice and technique advice, I was there probably an hour. What an amazing experience, they didn't have to do that. 30 years later I have a nice career teaching and playing music and allot of it is thanks to guys like these, who even when they are among the best musicians in the world would take time out for a long haired kid who looked like he belonged in line for Ozzy tickets instead of at a jazz concert. I think everyone should know what great guys these are, on top of amazing musicians.
@Gregor9043 I'm so glad that I found my way to this video and your story tonight. 30 (+3) years later and you've clearly lived up to your good fortune. It says a lot about music and musicians. I congratulate you.
What a great story here, thanks for sharing! About the same time, 90 or 91, I was working for a jazz festival near my hometown and I got the chance to do the sound check on Tony's canary yellow Gretsch kit, as the sound guy knew I was a drummer. Never before (and never ever after) had I the chance to play such a perfectly tuned kit. It was miraculous. I did not get to meet Tony that night, but the concert was mind blowing
I'm sure you had figured out your the time they first started till the very end you were witnessing one of the premier drummer's in the history of jazz music ! And to spend time with him was a very memorable experience..kudos to you !!!! I saw this band twice..phenomenal !!!!
I was touring with Lucky Peterson in support of his Triple Play album which I was on. They called me one take Willie because all of my tracks where one take. We did the Montreal Jazz Fest. Been on the road for weeks. Showed up, loaded in our gear. Like all festivals it's load in, do the hit, load out & move on. We had to play after Tony Williams band on his current 1989 tour. Can you imagine what it was like for me to have to performe after Tony Williams as a drummer? Thank God it was a blues gig basically shuffles, 8th note R& B grooves etc... I just played the gig but totally intimidated because of who Tony Williams was. The band was increadable , they struck the stage & I loaded in. Never got a chance to say anything to him but I will never forget that Night. I also opened for Billy Cobham Back in 1978. I have a history of this I guess. Wouldn't change it for the world. Thanks for the memories.
Had the pleasure of knowing Tony when he was a skinny 16 year-old playing with the awesome Sam Rivers at Club 47 in Cambridge, MA. He was a great drummer even then and grew to what he was, a deservedly recognized talent. Too bad he passed so soon.
I've been a jazz trumpeter for almost 50 years. Wallace Roney was one of the most phenomenal players that I ever heard live, and with this group. I saw this lineup in Seattle in 1990. Unbelievable!
The cleanest most dynamic drummer I've ever heard. I started to listen to jazz in the 50's and along came Tony and set the bar. After hearing Tony I started to take my single and double strokes seriously. Worked hard on my right foot. Thank you Tony.
i love professional percussionists. i am an amateur with a professionals consciousness. a long time ago i spoke of " micro-time ", basically that part of the time you feel, but cannot notate on a chart. modern drummers practice the technique expressed by buddy rich. haha, it IS a technique and can be learned. strangely - for amateurs - it involves more relaxation rather than more tension. it is the same on the djembe and the congas.
the cymbal work in jazz - traditional jazz - i have talked about it for years. the first thing a good jazz drummer does is to get that ride cymbal singing. it creates a " warm " wave for everyone.
This performance.... my word... God knows how time s it has soothed my soul, how many times I have followed it willingly to middle Earth. That Tony composed these pieces and many more says volumes about the breadth of his craft. Without question, his is an art on par with Dante, Mozart, Picasso, add infinitum.
Mr Williams absolutely undoubtedly played in his own dimension. I've listened to him w a lot of other top caliber musicians,and he is different but just as powerful every gd time. I'm completely baffled by him. Pastorius,Trane, Hendrix that feeling when you hear it ,your convinced they mean exactly ,what they mean to do. Fuckn priceless,and thank you thankyou
Holy Toledo! How did this one get past me? There was NO ONE like Tony Williams. His drumming perfectly straddles the line between rock and jazz. Just an unbelievable talent! RIP Tony.
I saw Mr Williams live only one time at the Vandgard and I sat right in front of that big yellow kit...I was ready to get my ears blown out ...but it wasnt loud...it was POWERFUL...big difference. Props to the great Alan Dawson for giving him a great foundation to develop his genius. Will never be another like him. Gone way too soon.
I was lucky to have a friend that knew him so we went to see him play in NY, and between shows, he hung out with us at our table. Watching him dance across the drums was magical. He played fast and his sticks would create patterns in the air. There were a lot of famous drummers in the audience. One told me he was there for his lesson.
Navroze contractor, amen. Saw him play with the 2nd lifetime, Alan Holdsworth, Alan Pasqua and Tony Newton. Bottom Line, NYC. Wow, backing Sonny Rollins @ Carnegie Hall for the Newkleus tour in 77/78. One of two drummers at Saratoga Jazz Fest all star jam. He did it all and of course, just the fact that Miles picked him says it all. Miles always had the best
Yes Tony’s drumming was always a kind of happy type of drumming. When he was playing he was smiling and his happiness came through in his drumming. Mulgrew miller was a fantastic jazz pianist and he and Tony kept close eye contact with each other...Both left us much too soon.Tony is one of my favorite drummers.
Saw Tony in concert just once in 1977 while on tour with the VSOP Quintet. Herbie, Wayne, Ron, Freddie and Tony. Mpls, MN at Northrup Auditorium. 10th row, left of center. I was 17 yrs. old. An amazing memory to this day!
Tony was with Miles at 16. He was a great player even then. He only got better with time. I love his driving cymbal work with explosive crashes. What great expression and style. Like in the opening solo on the second cut of this video. He is so sorely missed. He would still be playing today. Truly a pioneer of Jazz and total command of the Drum kit. Terrible tragedy for his untimely death. This was a GREAT gig with outstanding players.
He added to his playing but his early playing I prefer more. Something magical about his playing in the 63-65 period in my opinion. His playing on Jackie Mclean's 'One Step Beyond (63)', Grachan Moncur's 'Evolution (63), and Eric Dolphy's 'Out To Lunch (64), and his playing on Hancock's 'Maiden Voyage' and 'Empyrean Isles' are unsurpassed in terms of drumming PERIOD! So imo he started out great and remained great!
This was an absolute master class of a performance. Doesn't get better than this. I'm so impressed with the quality of sound for a live performance. So we'll balanced it feels like an album recording. Hope someone bought that audio engineer a beer.
Tony is the greatest. I only saw him once with the Herbie Hancock Quartet in the early 80s with Ron Carter and an unknown Wynton. I was really into Four & More, Smiles, Emergency, etc and he surpassed my lofty expectations. Basically made me realize I was never ever going be that good even if I practiced 10 hours a day. A funny thing I recall was the power and dynamics of his bass drum. He could do a single stroke roll with one foot. And he had to keep pulling his bass drum back to him because it kept sliding away due to the sheer power. His dynamics were incredible. He is my all-time fave. Gone but NEVER forgotten. There will never be another Tony. RIP.
Me and a friend of mine was hangin that night, we was sitting next to the GREAT HERBIE HANCOCK🎹🎹🎹, I still have his autograph!!! Swingin ass night!! #Memories🎶🎵🎼🔥🔥🔥
Absolutely! That is what makes it so remarkable. He went through that nearly decade long heaviness phase, trying a lot of different things. When he took up the more traditional jazz units again he maintained that heavy Tony approach, especially when he was leading the unit. If you are into it, it’s as fulfilling as mother’s milk.
Tony and those yellow Gretsches - unsurpassable. Constantly mixing it up and restlessly creative. Brilliant and sadly missed. Rimclick on the second tune sounds like a metronome. Fabulous.
yes that is some hollow stuff to downvote this innovative player, he is in the "high great" category genius player best. his looseness and independence how he does 4 things at once, and his high hat playing, nothing like it ever
If your drumming style is metal, jazz, rock, classical, if you wish to experience the epitome of music coolness and power, well .... just hit replay. Peace from Detroit MI. PLEASE check out Tony Williams Lifetime it is life changing!
I try not to watch this too often, there is just too much to absorb. The man can play loud with incredibly dynamics and soft with unbelievable power, and seamlessly switches inside of a 16th note between the two. He's beyond technique, into the realm of pure creation and mastery. I think hardly anyone tries to play like Tony, because it's just not possible. You can't paint like Jackson Pollack, you can't Physics likes Einstein, and you can't play drums like Tony Williams.
I recently heard Wallace Roney play at Birdland NYC and he still plays exactly the same. Still walks off stage sometimes, still wipes his lips before he goes for high notes sometimes and still plays very chromatically. What a wonderful player and what an awesome quintet
this guy with fellows Hancock,Shorter,Carter and Hubbard....gifted me and a friend of mine of 2 celestial hours of music back in 82.....in Bologna.......i'll never forget that day. we all miss him so much......
So bloody tight. Tony Williams. Grateful for the recordings. Would have loved to be at this performance. The Quintet is unbelievable. They breathe together. 🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
I can never get too much of this performance! Truly a pinnacle of music creation! Some people don't believe in such things as ESP, but if musicianship like this doesn't convince even the most skeptical I don't know know what will. It is obvious that they are working from an entirely different layer of reality that isn't easy to understand unless you've banked many thousands hours into playing a musical instrument. Tony was a time machine!
It's a great performance, amazing musicianship. However, the fact you think it's only possible to get this good by accessing some kind of mystical power of telekinesis says more about you than it does about these guys to be honest. They might seem superhuman, but their abilities are simply the result of talent + hard work.
Tony style is instantly recognizable and totally different from any other drummer. I've seen this video several times Parts one and two and realize that he's got some absolutely top-notch musicians in his band but I can't help keeping my eyes glued on Tony and his amazing playing whether he's backing up a soloist, playing with the ensemble, or playing a solo. Absolutely amazing. Definitely one of my favorites.
I have this on VHS, but alas, no VCR, so thank you for this! I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Williams about 9 months before he passed away. He signed a poster, a CD jacket, and let me take a picture with him. I miss him so much and can't imagine what he'd be doing with the drums if he were still here. RIP to the greatest to ever pick up a pair of sticks.
The second tune is Geo Rose. I was a DJ at KKGO in LA in the late 80s and we used to play the hell out of it. What a great number for late night cruising or just laying back. How great was this group? Every member of the band came out with their own solo albums right after the Civilization LP, from which some of these tunes are taken. In fact, original bass player Charnett Moffett had already left the band to go solo by the time of this gig. Thanks for uploading this. One of my favorite groups of the 80s. TH-cam is just amazing. Never would have believed there was a video of this great TW group.
This was a very undervalued quintet:all of these guys were marvelous musicians but they did not sell too many records. Tony was a force of nature; I wonder if we will see anything like him again? The first time I heard him, at 17 years old, he knocked me out with his playing.No wonder Miles loved him.
Thanks for posting.I saw this quintet live.Thumbs up. Mulgrew Miller quote from Wikipedia: I worked hard to maintain a certain mental and emotional equilibrium. It's mostly due to my faith in the Creator. I don't put all my eggs in that basket of being a rich and famous jazz guy. That allows me a certain amount of freedom, because I don't have to play music for money. I play music because I love it
Fine group of jazz musicians playing such an elegant piece of music. The syncopated rhythms flow into some awesome structural flow of latin jazz creativity by the pianist and the other cats, making beautiful music.
This is incredible talent here. Underrated. Shout out to the Pianist very unique blend of styles....of course Roney and Tony driving swingin' Thirty years ago? And I just found this? How did I miss this one? Better late than never.
Tony's love for Rock drumming and his study of composition helped to give a bunch of definition to his style, beginning with his work with the Davis quintet as a teenager you could hear how very special this guy was. He evolved a bunch by the time he was taken from us. RIP Tony Williams!....you had a huge voice!
@Barren Savant No comparison between Baker and Tony. Tony is SO conceptual and melodic as he is essentially updating African drumming as a form of communication. Baker was technically good but couldn't think his drumming to save his life. NO COMPARISON! Williams was Beethoven on the drums who put Appice and Baker and so many other wannabes in his back pocket. Plus he was a gentleman and Baker was a hothead who had the luck to run into Clapton and Bruce. On his own Baker's band's lasted around a week before the others realized their mistake and walked away from him.
@Barren Savant Baker could never sit in with the luminaries that Williams sat in with. The problem with rock 'n' rollers is that they're hopped up on adolescent hormones that clouds their thinking. Seriously, just try to image if you can a pimp like Baker sitting in on Are You The One? th-cam.com/video/TjRLq0hiSeQ/w-d-xo.html Or this masterpiece: th-cam.com/video/nkJoTY0GE8M/w-d-xo.html Baker is already in the forgotten file of inspired amateurs while Williams resides with the luminaries: Miles, Dolphy McLaughlin, etc. After Cream and the short lived Blind Faith no one would touch that scumbag for more than a week before realizing their mistake. Baker got lucky running into Bruce and Clapton. Ian Paice, Bonham, Ansley Dunbar, Kenny Jones, Phil Collins...and any number of other drummers could play circles around him. Now please don't ever put ass-hat in the same sentence as Tony Williams. Get a good night's sleep.
@Barren Savant And there's a good reason why people don't study Baker's history and take the time to listen and learn. Ain't worth it. Have a nice day.
Largely true, but not all, e.g. Roy Haynes, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Brian Blade, Bill Stewart, Billy Hart, Lewis Nash, Jeff “Tain”Watts, Mark Guiliana, Antonio Sanchez, and I could go on. But we lost an absolute colossus with the premature passing of TW.
This performance was so amazing... I watch this vid all the time! I sure am glad that there are a lot of jazz afficionadoes that also get turned on by this kind of nearly super-human music! Make sure to catch the Part 2 cus it is equally amazing!
Doug Steele -Dude! Doug.I started out as a metalhead too! I STILL love listening to Rob Dukes era Exodus and the great trio out of Switzerland,Coroner. It is an undeniable pleasure seeing you here..
Ha ha, oh yeah man, I saw Coroner live, mid 90's. I love Zappa, Holdsworth, Bossa Nova, electronica. Huge fan of all music. But my core is heavy music. And I watch Vinnie Colaiuta clips almost daily.
Doug Steele I have always been a metalhead too. The most advanced drumming has been in Jazz and Metal! The two seem like they are on opposite poles, but they are not all that dissimilar.
I saw this band perform in Norfolk, Va at a Holiday Inn. I was sitting next to Tony during his brakes. he just sat and smoked a cigar and stared at his drums. He did not say one word. I got my nerve up to say hi to him. I had been drumming around the area for years at the time. He was one of the most gracious, humble , and kind persons I ever met. I had a chance to speak with him for about one hour. When I shook his hand I noticed there were absolutely no calluses from hold the sticks and playing the way he did. He knew how to gage himself wer, each set sounded 100% better then the one before. After 4 hours of this it was ecstasy. Public Radio showed up to record him. Tony told them he was there to play for the people and to stop it.
I remember driving to a gig in the white Mountain area of New Hampshire, U.S. when I heard he died. I pulled the car over a cried. He was a friend and I still miss him. I hope he will find peace with God.
I met him once on the street outside the club he was playing in Canada. Exactly as you described. I'm not a musician but love his contributions to the music over the years.
@@Rocket57ca In 1976 I attended a drum workshop given by Alan Dawson who taught Tony Williams. That day I learned enough to keep me busy for years. In 1977 I was offered a 3 year contract and study with Buddy Rich while doing a gig with Terry Stafford. This does not happen in the business often. Times have changed.
I was living in Daly City, CA within sight of the hospital when he passed away following surgery. It was very sad to think of how much more music he had to give us and time he should have had with his family. That's so cool you got to hang out with him!
@@dave86407 Amazing...you have been blessed.
@@christophercharles9645 i never met him, but i often think of Tony when driving through Daly City and Half Moon Bay.
Saw this lineup at the jazz showcase in Chicago in 88 or 89 in high school. I sat with my feet on the drum riser and was literally within arms reach the whole show. I was a metal drummer with hair down to my waist, and was only there because my teacher told me the absolute best drummer in the world was in town and I better go see him, and get there a few hours early to get a good seat. Never heard of him before that. He watched me and showed out for me all set once he figured out I was studying him, winked at me before a few flurries, and before a long solo told me "watch this, kid". I even got invited to sit in the booth with the band after the set and talk with Tony and Mulgrew and Wallace. He even gave me practice and technique advice, I was there probably an hour. What an amazing experience, they didn't have to do that. 30 years later I have a nice career teaching and playing music and allot of it is thanks to guys like these, who even when they are among the best musicians in the world would take time out for a long haired kid who looked like he belonged in line for Ozzy tickets instead of at a jazz concert.
I think everyone should know what great guys these are, on top of amazing musicians.
PS Mulgrew Miller has hands so big that it seemed like he could palm the top of my head and pick me straight up.
@Gregor9043 I'm so glad that I found my way to this video and your story tonight. 30 (+3) years later and you've clearly lived up to your good fortune. It says a lot about music and musicians. I congratulate you.
What a great story that is thanks for sharing Greg
What a great story here, thanks for sharing!
About the same time, 90 or 91, I was working for a jazz festival near my hometown and I got the chance to do the sound check on Tony's canary yellow Gretsch kit, as the sound guy knew I was a drummer. Never before (and never ever after) had I the chance to play such a perfectly tuned kit. It was miraculous. I did not get to meet Tony that night, but the concert was mind blowing
I'm sure you had figured out your the time they first started till the very end you were witnessing one of the premier drummer's in the history of jazz music ! And to spend time with him was a very memorable experience..kudos to you !!!! I saw this band twice..phenomenal !!!!
Wow!, such talented musicans.
Incredible complexity, subtle ,powerful. Beautiful music.
I was touring with Lucky Peterson in support of his Triple Play album which I was on. They called me one take Willie because all of my tracks
where one take. We did the Montreal Jazz Fest. Been on the road for weeks. Showed up, loaded in our gear. Like all festivals it's load in, do the hit, load out & move on. We had to play after Tony Williams band on his current 1989 tour. Can you imagine what it was like for me to have to performe after Tony Williams as a drummer? Thank God it was a blues gig basically shuffles, 8th note R& B grooves etc... I just played the gig but totally intimidated because of who Tony Williams was. The band was increadable , they struck the stage & I loaded in. Never got a chance to say anything to him but I will never forget that Night. I also opened for Billy Cobham Back in 1978. I have a history of this I guess. Wouldn't change it for the world. Thanks for the memories.
Had the pleasure of knowing Tony when he was a skinny 16 year-old playing with the awesome Sam Rivers at Club 47 in Cambridge, MA. He was a great drummer even then and grew to what he was, a deservedly recognized talent. Too bad he passed so soon.
I've been a jazz trumpeter for almost 50 years. Wallace Roney was one of the most phenomenal players that I ever heard live, and with this group. I saw this lineup in Seattle in 1990. Unbelievable!
Yes. Wallace's intensity level was unmatched.
I love TH-cam, most likely would never have experienced this greatness without it.
One of the true greats. Tony Williams.
The cleanest most dynamic drummer I've ever heard. I started to listen to jazz in the 50's and along came Tony and set the bar. After hearing Tony I started to take my single and double strokes seriously. Worked hard on my right foot. Thank you Tony.
He was my greatest influence. Until you see him in person, you can't understand how really good he was. So tight and educated and musical.
i love professional percussionists. i am an amateur with a professionals consciousness. a long time ago i spoke of " micro-time ", basically that part of the time you feel, but cannot notate on a chart. modern drummers practice the technique expressed by buddy rich. haha, it IS a technique and can be learned. strangely - for amateurs - it involves more relaxation rather than more tension. it is the same on the djembe and the congas.
Check out Jamie Saint Merat
@@Mike383HKYes. You had to witness him live to really get the full impact of what he was.There was no authority like his.
I was very fortunate to have seen this band and they were something to behold..rest in peace Tony Williams 🙏 !
He created an atmosphere with the drums. His cymbal work is like different kinds of light.
the cymbal work in jazz - traditional jazz - i have talked about it for years. the first thing a good jazz drummer does is to get that ride cymbal singing. it creates a " warm " wave for everyone.
Tony Williams is the most musical of all the great drummers.
Yes and perhaps the most original. And what an awesome composer....No one else like him. Thanks UNIVERSE for sharing. The beauty of life...
Amazing. Always was and will be my inspiration.
Wallace Roney and Mulgrew Miller were stellar musicians.
the first piano solo is NUTS.
As it has been expressed,G.O.A.T. and that is a natural fact!!!!
The great Tony Williams with his own color of jazz 😁👍👍👍
This is still the most addictive jazz video on the internet.
What a about Miles's second quintet
I agree, I just realized it certainly is for me. I come back often to this video. Funny thing is I am not a drummer, I play the piano.
Oh.......please watch Larnell Lewis “City Lights”
I don’t know how it gets more musical than that
This performance.... my word... God knows how time s it has soothed my soul, how many times I have followed it willingly to middle Earth. That Tony composed these pieces and many more says volumes about the breadth of his craft. Without question, his is an art on par with Dante, Mozart, Picasso, add infinitum.
Yes, it is.
the kind of music that gives one hope for the future of mankind
The sound of the Zildjian "K" is superb.
Tony , great Drummer.
Flat ride we pianists like flat rides
Mr Williams absolutely undoubtedly played in his own dimension. I've listened to him w a lot of other top caliber musicians,and he is different but just as powerful every gd time. I'm completely baffled by him. Pastorius,Trane, Hendrix that feeling when you hear it ,your convinced they mean exactly ,what they mean to do. Fuckn priceless,and thank you thankyou
Very Very well put 😊😊😊
What a beautifully played blue trumpet
Tony is in Top 3 Drummers of all time, any genre. No joke.
Maybe THE top. Who are the other two, though?🙂
Holy Toledo! How did this one get past me? There was NO ONE like Tony Williams. His drumming perfectly straddles the line between rock and jazz. Just an unbelievable talent! RIP Tony.
I saw Mr Williams live only one time at the Vandgard and I sat right in front of that big yellow kit...I was ready to get my ears blown out ...but it wasnt loud...it was POWERFUL...big difference. Props to the great Alan Dawson for giving him a great foundation to develop his genius. Will never be another like him. Gone way too soon.
And IMPACTFUL!
Tony reigns supreme in the kingdom of drumset.
I was lucky to have a friend that knew him so we went to see him play in NY, and between shows, he hung out with us at our table. Watching him dance across the drums was magical. He played fast and his sticks would create patterns in the air. There were a lot of famous drummers in the audience. One told me he was there for his lesson.
Victor Barnes Such a Lovely testimony❤️
I was blessed with a handkiss. I was only a teenager and only realized wayyyy after❤️✨
'Geo Rose', 'Warrior' and 'There comes a time' are my top 3 favourite songs by the legendary Tony Williams May he rest in power 🙏🏽💛
One of the greatest drummers in all fields ever without doubt
Navroze contractor, amen. Saw him play with the 2nd lifetime, Alan Holdsworth, Alan Pasqua and Tony Newton. Bottom Line, NYC. Wow, backing Sonny Rollins @ Carnegie Hall for the Newkleus tour in 77/78. One of two drummers at Saratoga Jazz Fest all star jam. He did it all and of course, just the fact that Miles picked him says it all. Miles always had the best
One of the best? The Best!!! Vinnie comes a close second, naturally.
@@michaelbrickley2443 superb🎶🎵🎵🎶🎼🥁RIP Tony🎶🎵🎼🌈
Yes Tony’s drumming was always a kind of happy type of drumming. When he was playing he was smiling and his happiness came through in his drumming. Mulgrew miller was a fantastic jazz pianist and he and Tony kept close eye contact with each other...Both left us much too soon.Tony is one of my favorite drummers.
And so did Wallace Roney. God damn Covid. I always considered him an heir apparent to Miles, and in a way so did Miles.
Saw Tony in concert just once in 1977 while on tour with the VSOP Quintet. Herbie, Wayne, Ron, Freddie and Tony.
Mpls, MN at Northrup Auditorium. 10th row, left of center. I was 17 yrs. old. An amazing memory to this day!
@@hadial-saadoon2114 Dear me I didn't know.... RIP
Tony was with Miles at 16. He was a great player even then. He only got better with time. I love his driving cymbal work with explosive crashes. What great expression and style. Like in the opening solo on the second cut of this video. He is so sorely missed. He would still be playing today. Truly a pioneer of Jazz and total command of the Drum kit. Terrible tragedy for his untimely death. This was a GREAT gig with outstanding players.
He added to his playing but his early playing I prefer more. Something magical about his playing in the 63-65 period in my opinion. His playing on Jackie Mclean's 'One Step Beyond (63)', Grachan Moncur's 'Evolution (63), and Eric Dolphy's 'Out To Lunch (64), and his playing on Hancock's 'Maiden Voyage' and 'Empyrean Isles' are unsurpassed in terms of drumming PERIOD! So imo he started out great and remained great!
This was an absolute master class of a performance. Doesn't get better than this. I'm so impressed with the quality of sound for a live performance. So we'll balanced it feels like an album recording. Hope someone bought that audio engineer a beer.
Tony is the greatest. I only saw him once with the Herbie Hancock Quartet in the early 80s with Ron Carter and an unknown Wynton. I was really into Four & More, Smiles, Emergency, etc and he surpassed my lofty expectations. Basically made me realize I was never ever going be that good even if I practiced 10 hours a day. A funny thing I recall was the power and dynamics of his bass drum. He could do a single stroke roll with one foot. And he had to keep pulling his bass drum back to him because it kept sliding away due to the sheer power. His dynamics were incredible. He is my all-time fave. Gone but NEVER forgotten. There will never be another Tony. RIP.
Only the greatest drummer in modern jazz history, thank you sir.
Tony was a big influence for so many of us! This quintet is fantastic!
God bless you Tony,you changed the way the world played drums........
Me and a friend of mine was hangin that night, we was sitting next to the GREAT HERBIE HANCOCK🎹🎹🎹, I still have his autograph!!! Swingin ass night!! #Memories🎶🎵🎼🔥🔥🔥
I Never Get Tired Of This Performance!!!🎻🎺🎹🎷🎤🎛
Neither do I! I think it is one of the most amazing performances ever played on Earth....ever!
Ho man! Mulgrew! Slamming and making Tony smile! This was magic!
Tony Williams drumming always makes me smile.
I love how he plays Jazz on huge sized drums made for Rock and Metal. And it sounds strong and beefy and totally right for the music.
Absolutely! That is what makes it so remarkable. He went through that nearly decade long heaviness phase, trying a lot of different things. When he took up the more traditional jazz units again he maintained that heavy Tony approach, especially when he was leading the unit. If you are into it, it’s as fulfilling as mother’s milk.
Love him
Tony and those yellow Gretsches - unsurpassable. Constantly mixing it up and restlessly creative.
Brilliant and sadly missed. Rimclick on the second tune sounds like a metronome. Fabulous.
Bold, brassy, ballsy...nobody like Tony...then and now. Really miss you man!
this band is really tight. it's like they've been playing together since they were kids.
Can't believe Tony and Mulgrew are gone, sooo bad ass they were!! R.I.P. brothers..
So amazing. Not enough Tony - lost way too young. And that there are 160 dislikes - no words. This is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.
yes that is some hollow stuff to downvote this innovative player, he is in the "high great" category genius player best. his looseness and independence how he does 4 things at once, and his high hat playing, nothing like it ever
What a gift...what a talent...what a loss! He really captured something on this date! Kudos to Mr. Roney etal! I keep this in rotation!
Tony is INCREDIBLE & his band is fantastic!
9:35 all day every day. Still gives me goosebumps to this day.
I just love Tony Williams. He left us enough to listen to and enjoy. Gone too soon. ❤️
wow! what a volcano of energy is Tony Williams! So much excitement.
If your drumming style is metal, jazz, rock, classical, if you wish to experience the epitome of music coolness and power, well .... just hit replay. Peace from Detroit MI. PLEASE check out Tony Williams Lifetime it is life changing!
Mulgrew kills it, Billy Pierce way underrated///love this period w/Tony going straightahead...
Just astonishing all round. All fantastic players. I will keep coming back to this for the rest of my life.
This is the most addictive Jazz video I've ever heard!
Headphones please !
They sound sensational!
Tony Williams was absolutely brilliant with whatever he did musically! RIP!
☆☆☆☆☆
This guy Mr Williams is sweet smooth and a very fine musician (drummer)I'm impressed with his ability at playing the drums
I try not to watch this too often, there is just too much to absorb. The man can play loud with incredibly dynamics and soft with unbelievable power, and seamlessly switches inside of a 16th note between the two. He's beyond technique, into the realm of pure creation and mastery. I think hardly anyone tries to play like Tony, because it's just not possible. You can't paint like Jackson Pollack, you can't Physics likes Einstein, and you can't play drums like Tony Williams.
Extremely well put no one else like The GREAT TONY WILLIAMS thanks UNIVERSE...
So beautiful...🥰
Yes so beautiful that you explained it that way. Thanks...
This is the most sublime music of its kind.
Tony is the best drummer ever in history so far
Usually I do not think in terms of "the best", but in this case....
There’s No Such Thing 😊
His authority and passion were unmatched.
Wallace Roney!!! I'd never Bill Pierce before! Totally Cool. Beautiful playing.
What a Band!! Amazing Artists
I recently heard Wallace Roney play at Birdland NYC and he still plays exactly the same. Still walks off stage sometimes, still wipes his lips before he goes for high notes sometimes and still plays very chromatically. What a wonderful player and what an awesome quintet
If i would've known back in '89 what i know about Tony Williams now, I would've been there, Heck i lived in the Bronx too.
There is something satisfying in his powerful style. Just makes you feel an emotion that's hard to define but fulfilling.
this guy with fellows Hancock,Shorter,Carter and Hubbard....gifted me and a friend of mine of 2 celestial hours of music back in 82.....in Bologna.......i'll never forget that day. we all miss him so much......
Man, Wallace Roney always knocks me out with his heavy dose of chromaticsm....and what a tone!
Profound artistry and masterful musical expression...what a drumming legacy he left in his wake...and Tony is still leading the way...RIP!
tenho uma enorme admiração por tony wiliams um dos maiores bateristas que já existiu com seu forte e marcante estilo; inconfundível.
So bloody tight. Tony Williams. Grateful for the recordings. Would have loved to be at this performance. The Quintet is unbelievable. They breathe together.
🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
I can never get too much of this performance! Truly a pinnacle of music creation!
Some people don't believe in such things as ESP, but if musicianship like this doesn't convince even the most skeptical I don't know know what will. It is obvious that they are working from an entirely different layer of reality that isn't easy to understand unless you've banked many thousands hours into playing a musical instrument.
Tony was a time machine!
Crazy 8s Drums ESP for certain! I am in awe!
This guy's probly influenced more people than anybody. One of the most masterful guys ever.
It's a great performance, amazing musicianship. However, the fact you think it's only possible to get this good by accessing some kind of mystical power of telekinesis says more about you than it does about these guys to be honest. They might seem superhuman, but their abilities are simply the result of talent + hard work.
@@Joe90Production You might be an pseudointellectual... Watch this... th-cam.com/video/lRhqn21-xeg/w-d-xo.html
Absolutely happy to find this here. Tony was incredible: From 100.000 drummers you recognise him immediately ! What a groove !
So very very true 👍
Tony style is instantly recognizable and totally different from any other drummer. I've seen this video several times Parts one and two and realize that he's got some absolutely top-notch musicians in his band but I can't help keeping my eyes glued on Tony and his amazing playing whether he's backing up a soloist, playing with the ensemble, or playing a solo. Absolutely amazing. Definitely one of my favorites.
No one played Music like 'Tony' .You can attest to this Masterful mind .Theres No comparison on the Drums
Instantly recognizable. Tony was and always will be the most enjoyable drummer I have ever heard.
I have this on VHS, but alas, no VCR, so thank you for this! I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Williams about 9 months before he passed away. He signed a poster, a CD jacket, and let me take a picture with him. I miss him so much and can't imagine what he'd be doing with the drums if he were still here. RIP to the greatest to ever pick up a pair of sticks.
Favorite drummer of all time! The absolute best!
TW went thru MILES and came of his own...long live Mr Tony Williams and is powerful drumming!
Brilliant drum work!
So glad I got into jazz music last year, total gems like these just pop up in my recommended feed now.
I was lucky enough to see this set / line up at Yoshi's Oakland, I'll never forget it but it's nice to watch again... RIP maestro!
The second tune is Geo Rose. I was a DJ at KKGO in LA in the late 80s and we used to play the hell out of it. What a great number for late night cruising or just laying back. How great was this group? Every member of the band came out with their own solo albums right after the Civilization LP, from which some of these tunes are taken. In fact, original bass player Charnett Moffett had already left the band to go solo by the time of this gig. Thanks for uploading this. One of my favorite groups of the 80s. TH-cam is just amazing. Never would have believed there was a video of this great TW group.
Great that you played that tune out all those years ago. yeah cruisin'
No sweat, brutha!
Make sure that the first thing you do after watching this is to hop on the drums and make some magic of your own!
Cheers!
This was a very undervalued quintet:all of these guys were marvelous musicians but they did not sell too many records. Tony was a force of nature; I wonder if we will see anything like him again? The first time I heard him, at 17 years old, he knocked me out with his playing.No wonder Miles loved him.
Beauty such as this can't be judged in record sales...😇
@@michaelthomas4230 I entirely agree, well said.
Absolutely SUPERMEN!God bless them!
Tony's technique is incredible.
Tony's skill, techniques and feel obviously way beyond people in planet earth
A great many people fail to recognise the genius of Tony Williams compositions , instead focusing on his peerless playing instead.
True. I think the same can be said for Billy Cobham and Lenny White.
The 2nd track is magic. Tony's intro followed by mystical keys and then the wind. Just too much. LOVE
Tony Williams was simply unique. And then the amazing Wallace Rooney... what more do we need :)
Thanks for posting.I saw this quintet live.Thumbs up.
Mulgrew Miller quote from Wikipedia:
I worked hard to maintain a certain mental and emotional equilibrium.
It's mostly due to my faith in the Creator.
I don't put all my eggs in that basket of being a rich and famous jazz guy.
That allows me a certain amount of freedom,
because I don't have to play music for money.
I play music because I love it
Explosive creativity. And tons of technique.Amazing
Tony William's playing on drums was brilliantly enigmatic!
Fine group of jazz musicians playing such an elegant piece
of music. The syncopated rhythms flow into some awesome structural flow of latin jazz creativity by the pianist and the other cats, making beautiful music.
This is incredible talent here.
Underrated.
Shout out to the Pianist very unique blend of styles....of course Roney and Tony driving swingin'
Thirty years ago? And I just found this? How did I miss this one?
Better late than never.
Tony's love for Rock drumming and his study of composition helped to give a bunch of definition to his style, beginning with his work with the Davis quintet as a teenager you could hear how very special this guy was. He evolved a bunch by the time he was taken from us. RIP Tony Williams!....you had a huge voice!
R.i.p tony.just whan you moved on to double bass drums.man that would have been something to see and hear.
@Barren Savant No comparison between Baker and Tony. Tony is SO conceptual and melodic as he is essentially updating African drumming as a form of communication. Baker was technically good but couldn't think his drumming to save his life. NO COMPARISON! Williams was Beethoven on the drums who put Appice and Baker and so many other wannabes in his back pocket. Plus he was a gentleman and Baker was a hothead who had the luck to run into Clapton and Bruce. On his own Baker's band's lasted around a week before the others realized their mistake and walked away from him.
@Barren Savant Baker could never sit in with the luminaries that Williams sat in with. The problem with rock 'n' rollers is that they're hopped up on adolescent hormones that clouds their thinking. Seriously, just try to image if you can a pimp like Baker sitting in on Are You The One?
th-cam.com/video/TjRLq0hiSeQ/w-d-xo.html
Or this masterpiece:
th-cam.com/video/nkJoTY0GE8M/w-d-xo.html
Baker is already in the forgotten file of inspired amateurs while Williams resides with the luminaries: Miles, Dolphy McLaughlin, etc. After Cream and the short lived Blind Faith no one would touch that scumbag for more than a week before realizing their mistake. Baker got lucky running into Bruce and Clapton. Ian Paice, Bonham, Ansley Dunbar, Kenny Jones, Phil Collins...and any number of other drummers could play circles around him. Now please don't ever put ass-hat in the same sentence as Tony Williams. Get a good night's sleep.
@Barren Savant And there's a good reason why people don't study Baker's history and take the time to listen and learn. Ain't worth it. Have a nice day.
Special indeed.
Saw tony at 'kimball's west', san fransisco '85. So there !
Just Amazing!
GOD HAS ALL OF THE BEST DRUMMERS!!!
RIP TONY!!!
Larnell, vinnie and brian blade are still here with us!
Largely true, but not all, e.g. Roy Haynes, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Brian Blade, Bill Stewart, Billy Hart, Lewis Nash, Jeff “Tain”Watts, Mark Guiliana, Antonio Sanchez, and I could go on. But we lost an absolute colossus with the premature passing of TW.
@@Thjarkvaldur ANTONIO SANCHEZ
Danny Carey and Mike “Puffy” Bordin are still with us!
This performance was so amazing... I watch this vid all the time!
I sure am glad that there are a lot of jazz afficionadoes that also get turned on by this kind of nearly super-human music!
Make sure to catch the Part 2 cus it is equally amazing!
Thanks so much for posting this.."Native Heart" was always a favorite record of mine.It is wonderful to see these tunes performed live!
Don't forget the metalheads. We love to visit and marvel.
Doug Steele -Dude!
Doug.I started out as a metalhead too!
I STILL love listening to Rob Dukes era Exodus and the great trio out of Switzerland,Coroner.
It is an undeniable pleasure seeing you here..
Ha ha, oh yeah man, I saw Coroner live, mid 90's. I love Zappa, Holdsworth, Bossa Nova, electronica. Huge fan of all music. But my core is heavy music. And I watch Vinnie Colaiuta clips almost daily.
Doug Steele I have always been a metalhead too. The most advanced drumming has been in Jazz and Metal! The two seem like they are on opposite poles, but they are not all that dissimilar.
Look at Tony smiling at 14:06 because of Wallace Roney's beautiful playing. RIP Wallace Roney.
What a great group Tony put together. Wallace Rooney sounds like a refreshing variation of Miles Davis. The whole band sounds great.