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Please join the jazz community at Saint
Peter’s Church on Monday evening, in person, or via livestream, as we
celebrate the life and legacy of jazz drummer Jackie Williams (1933-2023).
Jackie was born in Harlem and lived and played in New York City throughout
his life. He began playing drums so young, and in such a musical climate,
that he couldn’t recall when exactly he became a professional drummer.
Jackie played for many years with Doc Cheatham. Other leaders he worked
with include Illinois Jacquet, Jay McShann, and Junior Mance. He worked
extensively with the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band and the Jazz Foundation’s
Jazz in the Schools program. Over a long and varied career he also played
with Buck Clayton, Bobby Hackett, Earl Hines, Billy Butler, Al Casey, Milt
Hinton, Alberta Hunter, Maxine Sullivan, Joe Williams, Tiny Bradshaw, Al
Cohn, Johnny Guarnieri, Slam Stewart, Bobby Short, Stéphane Grappelli,
Buddy Tate, and Teddy Wilson. He frequently played in Europe and appeared
at jazz parties or on jazz cruises. In recent years he appeared with the
next generation of New York musicians including Evan Christopher, Marc
Devine, Hide Tanaka, Jon-Eric Kellso, and Nicki Parrott. Mr. Williams is
survived by his nephew Al as well as cousins and other family. (From the
obituary in the Syncopated Times website.)
The musicians celebrating Jackie’s life this evening include: Marc Devine,
Michael Howell, Danny Mixon, Rick Bogart, Bill Wurtzel, Fuku Tainaka,
Dennis Llewellyn Day, Tad Shull, Chris Flory, Hide Tanaka, Ehud Asherie and
many more.
Saint Peter's Church in
Midtown Manhattan has been the site of many memorials and
celebrations-of-life for jazz musicians throughout the decades. This
memorial is organized and funded by Marc Devine, Al Jackson, Jazz
Foundation of America, and Saint Peter's Church.
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