Disheartened, the drummer took a brief hiatus and then returned to an acoustic jazz setting with the VSOP band, which reunited him with Hancock, Shorter and Carter, along with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard.

Tony Williams continued to lead his own solo projects and in the 1980’s recorded a number of albums as leader for Blue Note. In the 1990s, he toured and recorded with the four members of the quintet once again, this time with Wallace Roney on trumpet.

In 1996, Tony did an album called Wilderness with Pat Metheny, Stanley Clarke and Michael Brecker. A trio recording was also released in 1997 called Young at Heart.

The Bottom Line concert in 1979 featured Tony with bass player Bunny Brunel and keyboardist Tom Grant. This trio totally enthralled me. I don’t think I have ever seen such tight and awe inspired playing like that. Bunny Brunel was beyond belief and mixed with the incredible meticulousness of Tony Williams had an effect on me that inspired and grew my love of jazz and live music for years to come.

I was so sad to hear when Tony Williams unexpectedly lost his life to heart failure during a routine gall bladder operation back in February of 1997. Tony Williams was definitely distinctive. No one could grab your attention like he did and I will always remember watching him play those bright yellow Gretsch drums. How fortunate I was to witness a true jazz master and his incredible precision and personal style will always be a part of my memories …

The Joy of Flying

I got into Tony Williams in my early teens from my days of selling vinyl. The Joy of Flying was one of those all-star albums where everybody from Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Jan Hammer, Stanley Clarke and even Ronnie Montrose would all contribute. When the album was released almost 30 years ago, I listened to it what must have been hundreds of times. I loved the inventive R&B funky upbeat style and listening to this album while finishing up my walk on the treadmill was a real treat to reflect on after all these years...