I have just heard that i’ll be interviewed today on DR radio by Niels. I will be talking about 2econd nature, woody Allen, and my musical influences. Live between 15.00 and 16.00
Posted in 2econd Nature, django reinhardt, Gipsy Jazz, news, nyheder, Press, Swing 41 | Comments Off on On radio with Niels Christian Cedeberg
So, there was no award for best soundtrack (non original) in the 2012 Academy Awards this year. But Woody Allen won his fourth Oscar for the 2011 box office hit Midnight in Paris.
He did not turn up to collect his award.
I was also a no show. If I had been invited I would have turned up.
Posted in jazz, news | Comments Off on An Oscar win for the film with Swing 41 in the soundtrack
These are the ones I go back to time and time again for inspiration and sheer listening pleasure, some mainstream, some very well known,and some a bit more obscure.
1. kind of Blue – Miles Davis -1959
This work broke with the conventions of the time, but has become a rule book in itself, many great players including John mcLaughlin claim they learnt about improvisation by studying this album.
2. Live at the Royal Festival Hall – John McLaughlin Trio – 1989
Truly awesome trio with Trilok Gurtu on percussion and Kai Eckhardt on bass.
3. I Took up the Runes – Jan Garberek – 1990
This used to make me cry when I turned it up real loud and blotted out the rest of the world. I believe it had a similar effect on my neighbours at the time, but for slightly different reasons.
4. Mingus Ah Um – Charles Mingus – 1959
Simply a classic, a beautiful mix of Hard Bop and Gospel music, this work is truly inspired, and you can often hear where the inspiration was coming from.
5. Ugetsu – Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – 1963
The name came from the Jazz Messengers tours in Japan, for many the striking feature of this album is that it is led by a drummer, and there is not one drum solo on it. I love the line up and the compositions. Also, you can never beat a good live album.
6. Making Music – Zakir Hussain – 1986
Surprisingly this did not meet with overwhelming approval from critics at the time of it’s release. I regard it as some of the best music I’ve ever heard and I really need to replace the copy that I have just realised is missing from my CD shelf.
7. Tales of Gil Scott Heron -Â Gil Scott Heron and his Amnesia Express – 1990
I went to see Gil perform several times in the early 90’s. When he turned up, he, and the band featured on this recording could not be beaten for quality music entertainment. RIP.
8. Oregon in Moscow – Oregon and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra – 2000
Oregon are known for fusing classical music and instrumentation with jazz improvisation. This project though was bordering on the ridiculous. Here they manage to make a symphony orchestra function as a fifth member of their jazz combo.
9. I sing the body electric – Weather Report – 1972
Weather report was a leading force in fusion for 16 years, they recorded countless classic jazz albums. This one is my favourite of theirs.
10. Irresistible forces – Jack DeJohnette Special Edition – 1987
This album boggles my mind. And that’s a good thing
Posted in american music, jazz, Jazz CD | 1 Comment »
Unsurprisingly the Grammy awards went to a bunch of well known names. All of the nominees are well deserving of recognition, but sometimes I’d like to see these Arts Industry awards do more to boost relatively new talent.
Posted in news, nyheder | Comments Off on Grammy awards for jazz 2012
Can anyone suggest an Erhu Teacher based in Copenhagen? I have searched Doremiworld.com, but I can’t find anyone there.
Posted in Peter Williams | Comments Off on Erhu Teacher Wanted
It’s all happening today… I have to follow up on some gig booking leads, prepare for a recording session for my next cd and find some funding for a trip to Nanjing.
If anyone knows a manager, or a good article on time management, please let me know.
Posted in Peter Williams | Comments Off on I need a manager!
Most jazz musicians would probably credit Buddy Bolden with inventing the genre, but where did the word come from?
Well, no one is sure! One likely source is the slang Jasm meaning energetic and full of spirit. I think I’ll try and remember that on the next gig.
Posted in american music, jazz, Peter Williams | Comments Off on Jazz, Jaz or Jass?
I was lucky enough to play with Robin a few months back when he came over to play in Copenhagen. After the gig, being the kind and generous person that he is, he came up to me and gave me a copy of “The Gig Book“.
 This is a great resource for anyone playing or wanting to play gypsy jazz standards. Each tune has the melody in guitar tab and suggested Gypsy Jazz Chord voicings.
I notice that he now has a new book out where the reader can learn how he approached writing new Gypsy Jazz tunes, I suspect it’s well worth the read.
Posted in django reinhardt, Gipsy Jazz, jazz, live jazz, music theory, news, Peter Williams | Comments Off on Robin Nolan’s Gypsy Jazz Gig Book
I’ve been having a few free weekends with my family recently, as a result I’ve been able to watch a few of these reality talent shows recently – X-factor, The Voice etc. All very entertaining. Obviously they hardly ever choose the singers that impress me to go into the final rounds, but that is not my real concern about these programs.
I do not seek to cast blame, and cannot criticise the program makers, but it is a natural and  necessary quality of these programs that they keep the song structures short. I find it is a new experience for me as a jazz musician to complain about this, as I am an advocate of shorter arrangements in almost all the jazz that I am involved in making, but in these programs the songs are reduced to the level of adverts for the singers. My hope is that this does not filter through into pop music in general as I think it may damage the art of popular song-writing.
Posted in music theory | Tagged musical form, song structure | Comments Off on That’s Entertainment
GDC, formerly Scandinavia’s largest distributor of CDs and other recorded media has gone into receivership. Hundreds of record labels small and large are now furiously rushing about trying to find alternative ways of getting their product to the customer. Unfortunately. I, and many other independent jazz musicians are not in a position of power. As a result I have been forced to handle my own distribution again.
My on-line Jazz shop will re-open as soon as I have got to grips with the workings of PayPal. (previously an area of the internet marked only with the words ‘here be dragon’s’ in my map of the internet). I was thinking of sprucing up Peter Williams Jazz Boutique as well, new wallpaper, maybe sell coffee and cakes and put out a few tables and chairs.
I’ll let you know as soon as the doors open again!
Posted in jazz, Jazz CD, news, nyheder, Peter Williams | Tagged Peter Williams | Comments Off on My distributor is indisposed
