With an unparalleled style of rhythmic expression, drummer Willie Jones III is one of the world’s leading jazz drummers. Jones was a member of Roy Hargrove’s Quintet and is featured on Roy Hargrove’s CD releases on Verve: Moment To Moment, Hard Groove, Nothing Serious and Rh Factor’s Distractions. Jones can be heard on a host of recordings including Kurt Elling’s Grammy-nominated Night Moves (Concord) and Eric Reed’s Here (Max Jazz). Jones has worked with Sonny Rollins, Ernestine Anderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Houston Person, Billy Childs, Eric Reed, Ryan Kisor, Eric Alexander, Bill Charlap, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and Hank Jones. In 2000, Jones’ released his debut CD, Vol 1… Straight Swingin’, on his own label, WJ3 Records. Subsequent releases include Vol II… Don’t Knock The Swing (2002); Volume III (2007); and WE 2 (2008), a trombone and piano recording featuring Wycliffe Gordon and Eric Reed. Jones’ latest release is The Next Phase (2010).
Guitarist and composer Sam Kirmayer plays with “fearlessness and momentum” – Katie Malloch (CBC Jazz Beat & Tonic). One of CBC Music’s picks for the “35 Best Canadian Jazz Musicians Under 35”, his playing has been described as “sharp and clean melodic lines peppered with exquisite chording and comping… never overstated and always expressed with good taste”– C. Michael Bailey (All About Jazz). He has released three recordings as a leader, Opening Statement (Chromatic Audio 2017), High and Low (Cellar Music, 2018) and In This Moment (Cellar Music, 2022).
Musicians:
Willie Jones III (drums)
Sam Kirmayer (guitar)
Taurey Butler (piano)
Alec Walkington (bass)