Buddy Williams (jazz drummer)

Last updated
Buddy Williams
Born
Ira "Buddy" Williams
Occupations
Years active1976-present
Musical career
Origin New York City
InstrumentsDrums

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]

Contents

In 2024, Williams received the New York City Musicians Collective Honors award. [13]

Early life and education

Buddy 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

In 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

As sideman

With Nat Adderley

With Andy Bey

With Carla Bley

With Doug Carn

With George Freeman

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Dave Grusin

With Roberta Flack

With Jaroslav Jakubovic

With Howard Johnson and Gravity

With Hugh Masekela

With Lee Ritenour

With David Sanborn

With Sonny Sharrock & Linda Sharrock

With Valerie Simpson

With Lonnie Liston Smith

With Bob Stewart

With McCoy Tyner

With Luther Vandross

With Cedar Walton

References

  1. ↑ Rick Mattingly, "Buddy Williams". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz . 2nd edition, ed. Barry Kernfeld, 2004.
  2. ↑ "Buddy Williams: Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  3. ↑ "Buddy Williams — Going For The Feeling". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  4. ↑ "Buddy Williams". Playbill . 14 Nov 2022. Retrieved 14 Nov 2022.
  5. 1 2 "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.
  6. 1 2 "Bustin' Loose, Roberta Flack MCA". The Birmingham News. 1981-06-22. p. 17. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
  7. ↑ Zuanich, Barbara (4 Feb 1980). "Behind the Scenes, Saturday Night's Live Band". The Daily American . p. 8. Retrieved 14 Nov 2022.
  8. ↑ "Hello, Dolly!". Broadwaymusicians.com. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  9. ↑ "Buddy Williams – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  10. ↑ Zuanich, Barbara (1980-01-10). "Saturday Night's Live Band". Bonners Ferry Herald. p. 64. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  11. ↑ Davis, Phil (1980-09-20). "Al Jarreau - fiery and funky". The Capital Times. p. 10. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  12. ↑ Kanzler, George (1984-10-31). "Drummers analyze their 'beat streets'". The Star-Ledger. p. 57. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  13. ↑ "New York City Musicians Collective Honors - LaGuardia Community College" . Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  14. ↑ "Buddy Williams | Yamaha Artists". www.yamaha.com. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  15. ↑ "Record Reviews By Bill Missett". North County Times. 1982-07-22. p. 27. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
  16. ↑ Bustin' Loose [Music from the Original Motion ... | AllMusic , retrieved 2025-06-19
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