Born on March 3, 1949 in Seattle, Washington, Booker T. Williams, Jr. displayed his artistic talent at a very early age,…. sketching and drawing virtually anything and everything. However at around age 13, Booker became smitten with the saxophone bug and his artwork became a secondary consideration. After attending Washington State University and the University of Washington for several years, he set out for NYC in 1974 to further “chase the music”, with a passion for art still reverberating in his being.
Booker travelled extensively through-out Europe and Japan, honing his sax chops and gigged considerably in and around New York. In addition, Booker has recorded, gigged, and jammed substantially with such notables as Andrew Cyrille, Sonny Stitt, Reggie Workman, Denis , Charles Mingus, Archie Shepp, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Rollins to name a few.
In late 2005, while giving saxophone lessons, one of Booker’s students gave him a Photoshop 6 disc. Being a total novice, Booker began exploring the wonderful possibilities of Photoshop. Mind you, his artistic prowess of drawing and sketching was never out of reach.
During early 2006, Booker experienced a season of insomnia. It was during this restless period that Booker had some amazing breakthroughs with Photoshop and his art chops. He found himself thrust into a “magical” world with an indescribably, unique style of rendering his art. Booker categorizes his art as DIGITAL PAINTINGS with BOLD TEXTURES and COLORS that “jump right off the canvas and into your heart”.
Booker T.’s digital paintings have been featured in art exhibits in New Orleans, Baltimore and in New York City.
Booker’s artistic statement, that encompasses every aspect of his life and spills over into his art is: graciously being able to see the UNSEEN and hear the UNHEARD…which IZZZZ ETERNAL!!!
October 21, 2009, Booker's piece TWO KEWL KATZ was selected as a Juried-Winning recipient of the ART ON CALL AWARD in the category Graphics, see the second image. Full information from AOCA Newsletter, see.
Furthermore, October 31, 2009, Booker took part in Eric L. Jones TV Show with his piece called THE SQUARE, where he was interviewed regarding his graphic art technique:
In this video, Booker shows his image of Michael Jackson at an art exhibition @ the BOROUGH of MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE commemorating HISPANIC HISTORY MONTH:
Booker has also uploaded this video on YouTube:
And here he is recently playing to a track by Donnie McClurkin, called STAND:
Presently, Booker is also writing on a soon-to-be bestseller book, entitled I SURVIVED A MODERN-DAY LYNCHING/LOVE LETTERS TO MY WIFE.
Above and down here you will find some of Booker's images mixed with record informations. See a complete collection of images.
See also some music clips with Booker. And a collection of jazzy art products.
In 1971, when Booker was still in college, he took part in a performance called
Occupation Soul,
Booker is playing tenor sax on Occupation Soul and flute on Sunny.
More recently he's playing his horn in the National Anthem.
Saheb Sarbib and his Multinational Big Band: Live in the Public Theater
Cadence Jazz Records CJR 1001 (LP)
October 17, 1980
Public Theater, N.Y.C
Concerto for Rahsaan [34:37]
Daybreak [11:20]
[All compositions, Saheb Sarbib]
Saheb Sarbib (bass and leader)
William Brown, Steve Groves (guitar)
Roy Campbell, Ryuichi Homma, Jack Walrath (trumpet)
Vincent Holmes Jr., Art Baron, Tim Sessions (trombone)
Paul Schapiro, Talib Qadir, Lee Rozie (soprano saxophone)
Booker T., David Pate, Pete Chavez (tenor saxophone)
James Ford, Jemeel Moondoc, Mark Whitecage (alto saxophone)
David Sewelson (baritone saxophone)
David Hofstra (electric bass)
Guilherme Franco (percussion)
Richard Baratta (drums)
Saheb Sarbib and his Multinational Big Band: Aisha
Cadence Jazz Records CJR 1010 (LP)
July - August, 1981
High Rise Sound Studio, N.Y.C
East 11:th Street [3:30]
One for Lacy [4:50]
New York Party [8:25]
Get in Line [5:35]
Aisha [17:10]
The Unknown Step of Life [3:15]
[All compositions, Saheb Sarbib]
Saheb Sarbib (bass, piano, organ and leader)
Ahmed Abdullah, Roy Campbell, Steven Bernstein (trumpet)
Mark Whitecage, Jemeel Moondoc, Lee Goodall (alto saxophone)
Paul Schapiro, Mel Ellison, Lee Rozie (soprano saxophone)
Booker T., David Pate, Pete Chavez (tenor saxophone)
David Sewelson (baritone saxophone)
Tim Sessions, Rick Davies (trombone)
William Brown, Steve Groves (guitar)
David Hofstra (electric bass)
Guilherme Franco (percussion)
Richard Baratta (drums)
Special Guest: Frank Wright (voice and tenor saxophone)
1982
Recorded Live at Jazzmania Society's Loft, N.Y.C
In Walked Bud (Monk) [7:18]
Lady Day [5:12]
Song for Rashied [5:31]
Conjunctions [5:28]
Celebration [4:50]
B. Fields [8:31]
[All compositions but In Walked Bud by Saheb Sarbib]
Mark Whitecage (alto saxophone)
Booker T. (tenor saxophone)
Mel Ellison (soprano saxophone)
Donald Smith (piano)
Saheb Sarbib (bass)
John Betsch (drums)
This album was recorded during two evenings of the unusual
six-week series called Jancin', held in 1982, integrating the
arts of jazz and dance. The dancers at these occasions were
Leon von Brown and Mickey Davidson, according to the back
sleeve of the album.
Silkheart Records SHLP-114 (LP)
Silkheart Records SHCD-114 (CD)
April 06, 07 and 08, 1988
Recorded at A&R Recording, N.Y.C
Go Tell It on the Mountain [16:31]
When Mama Cries I Cry [9:53]
Hussen Kalle Mazeltov [12:25]
Jesus Loves Me [7:35]
What a Friend We Have in Jesus [5:40]
St. Thomas [7:17]. (Only on CD).
[When Mama Cries I Cry composed by Booker T. Williams Jr., What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Charles Converse/Joseph Scriven, St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins, the others compositions are traditionals.
All arrangements by Booker T.]
Booker T. (tenor saxophone, alto sax on "When Mama Cries I Cry")
Saheb Sarbib (bass)
Andrew Cyrille (drums)
Quoted from Jazz critic Frances Davis: "The obsessive soul-searching that prods his work suggests affinities with John Coltrane and Albert Ayler.
But unlike too many of the tenor saxophonists who have caught Coltane's and Ayler's fervor, Booker T.
has an earthy sense of humor. This is a fascinating record that shouldn't be overlooked."
Give It Up Or Turn It A Loose (Charles Bobbitt) [6:50]
It's A Man's World (James Brown) [6:50]
I Got The Feelin' [Horns Only] (James Brown) [0:17]
Brown's Dance (Craig Harris) [3:43]
Showtime Medley (James Brown) [6:24]
Please, Please, Please (James Brown, Johnny Terry) [4:36]
Try Me (James Brown) [3:39]
Cold Sweat (James Brown, Alfred Jones Ellis) [7:26]
[Composers as shown above]
Kenny Rogers(alto & soprano saxophone)
Booker T. Williams (tenor saxophone)
Eddie E. J.Allen (trumpet)
Craig Harris (trombone, vocals, musical directions)
Brandon Ross (electric guitar)
Fred Wells (electric guitar)
Clyde Criner (keyboards)
Alonzo Gardner (electric bass)
Damon Mendes (drums)
Kweyao Agyapon (percussion)
Guests: Kenyatte Abdur-Rahman (percussion, 6)
Arthur Blythe (alto saxophone, 2 and 3)
Olu Dara (cornet, 2 and 7)
David Murray (tenor saxophone, 5 and 9)
Sekou Sundiata (vocals, 2 and 6)
On 7 and 8:
Mark Whitecage (alto saxophone)
Booker T. (tenor saxophone)
David Pate (tenor saxophone)
Saheb Sarbib (piano, bass, (7))
Alberto Beserra (bass, (8))
Guilherme Franco, Marcio Sapel, Ricardo Torres, Manuel Monteiro,
Fernando Assis, Clancio Morales, Duduka da Fonseca, Cyro Baptista,
Steve Kroon, Lenny King, Fred Dias (percussion)
Steve Thornton (additional percussion, (7))
Silkheart Records SHLP-121 (LP)
Silkheart Records SHCD-121 (CD)
April 26 and 27, 1989
Recorded at Sound on Sound Recording Studio, N.Y.C
Triangle [0:28]
Sweet Melanie [15:52]
Stand Back [5:36]
Qween Mary [9:47]
Bass Space [4:23]
Rise Up [9:49]
Afro-Amer.Ind [28:28]. (Only on CD).
[Afro-Amer.Ind composed by Wilber Morris,
all the others composed by Denis Charles.]
Booker T. (tenor saxophone)
Wilber Morris (bass)
Denis Charles (drums)
Huss Charles (congas)
All percussion on 1.
According to Booker T., the leader of this session was
spelling his first name with one "n", not with "nn" as is
regular in the records Charles appeared on.
Liner notes by Valerie Wilmer.
Here you can enjoy Rise Up:
"Named in honor of a revolutionary Black woman from St. Croix, Charles along with his brother Huss Charles on conga, a sturdy and outstanding Wilber Morris on bass, and a stalwartly strong but woefully under-recorded Booker T. on tenor sax offer up a program which manages to emphasize solos without at the same time de-emphasizing the compositions. The balance is extraordinary and the music invigorating, especially because its rhythmic appeal is so strong that one quickly drops any prejudices that one has about the lack of swing in avant- garde jazz." (Kalamu ya Salaam, Wavelength, October 1991.)
Andy Bey (vocals)
Sekou Sundiata (spoken vocals)
Sam Furnace (alto saxophone, flute)
George Adams, Booker T. Williams (tenor saxophone)
Eddie Allen (trumpet)
Craig Harris (trombone)
Fred Wells (guitar, background vocals)
Brandon Ross (guitar)
Douglas Booth (keyboards)
Melvi Gibbs, James Colloway (bass)
Damon Mendes (drums)
Kweyao Agyapon (percussion)
Recorded April 30 to May 24, 1993
at Eastside Sound, NYC
Released Dec 04, 1993
Dessalines [4:91]
Lenglesou [3:34]
Vodoo Blue [7:26]
Ayibobo [2:26]
Afrika [5:38]
Sondjemen [1:51]
Afro Logic [3:20]
Euzelie [3:19]
Spirits [5:03]
Plante [4:22]
Tchouboum [3:46]
Sing [4:50]
M.C. Tido [1:38]
[All compositions by Jean-Paul Bourelly]
Jean-Paul Bourelly (lead guitar, vocal)
Wilfrid Ti Do Lavaud (lead vocal, drums, guitar)
Chico Boyer (bass, bgvocals, drums)
Ju Ju Julius House (trap drums)
Gaston "Bonga" Jean-Baptiste (drums, bgvocals)
Booker T. Williams (tenor sax, flute)
Craig Harris (trombone, didjeridoo)
Vincent Henry (alto sax)
Carl Bourelly (keyboards)
Roy Robinson (organ)
Jean-Paul Bourelly guitars)
D.J. Logic (Jason Kibler) (keyboards)
Kundalini Mark Battson (keyboards)
T.M. Stevens (bass)
Booker T. Williams (sax)
Reggie Washington (bass)
Irene Datcher (vocals)
Big Royal Talamacus (bass)
Slam T. Wig (drums)
Alfredo Alias (drums)
Kevin K-dog Johnson (drums)
Michael Wimberly (percussion)
Jalal Sharif (percussion)
Lonnie Plaxico (double bass, bass)
Mark Peterson (bass)
Francisco Mondragon Rio / Stomu Takeishi: Human Rights
Pulque Records PULCD-7 (CD)
June 30, 1998
Recorded at 39 St. Productions, N.Y, N.Y.
Released 1999
Atardecer [9:08]
Light in the Sky [4:59]
Nadie Como Tu [6:18]
Getting Closer (Acercando) [12:49]
Human Rights [3:05]
Hercules Temple [5:28]
Ballad # 36 [10:52]
[All compositions by Francisco Mondragon Rio]
Francisco Mondragon Rio (acustic and stratocaster guitar)
Stomu Takeishi (5 string bass and acustic bass)
Booker T. Williams (sax and flute)
Santoshi Takeishi (percussion)
Enrique Castro Flores (small percussion)
Robert Kaplan (drums on 3 and 5)
Recorded October 28, 1999 Released August 26, 2003
Lila [6:00]
Come Closer [6:10]
Our Bit of Piddling [2:20]
Lover Man [8:46]
Dindi [3:54]
Freejam [8:15]
[Lila composed by Sylvester, Wale]
[Come Closer, Our Bit of Piddling, Freejam composed by Devorah Day]
[Lover Man composed by Davis, Ramirez, Sherman]
[Dindi composed by Jobim]
Devorah Day (vocals)
Marion Brown (alto saxophone)
Booker T. (alto and tenor saxophone)
Jorge Sylvester (alto and tenor saxophone)
David Coldring (bass)
["Body and Soul" composed by Green, Heyman, Eytan & Sour, Sonnymoon For Two by Sonny Rollins, On The Trail by Ferde Grofé and Mr. PC by John Coltrane.]
Booker T. (alto saxophone)
Ralph Williams (tenor saxophone)
Unknown (guitar, piano, bass)
Wade Barnes (drums)
Two sets were performed at the University of Arts, Philadelphia, in 1994 and all music was recorded.
This concert was preceded by a work shop with students earlier the same day and a radio interview by
Ludwig Van Trikt. Hora is a Jewish dance.
First Set:
Hussen Kalle Mazeltov
Hora Medley
a. Mazeltov
b. Yossel! Yossel!
c. Hava Nagilah
Star of David
Mitzvahs
Jesus Loves Me
[Total time: 1 hour and 7 minutes]
Second Set:
A Warm-Up Piece
Yossel! Yossel!
Hora Medley
a. Ode Yishoma
b. Simontov
c. Hava Nagilah
Segue Out
[Total time: 55 minutes]
Booker T. Williams (tenor sax, alto sax, flute)
Tony Cedras (piano, accordion)
Bob Stewart (tuba)
Wilber Morris (bass)
Reggie Nicholson (drums, tympany)
Not officially released earlier, but here you will find an upload on YouTube by Booker T.
Excellently filmed by the late, great CHARLES ABRUZZO. Intestinal Fortitude by Moishe Kampin
& James Lee Frazier, Jr. Digital conversion by Lars Backström (depending on differences between
American and European standards, it was made black and white).
Before this event, Jack Lloyd, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER, on December 09, 1994, announced:
THE BOOKER T. QUINTET. The billing for this concert is "Jazz Meets the Hora," so it is clear
that this will not be a routine event, since one does not ordinarily think of Jewish music in the
jazz context. Booker T., however, is no ordinary musician.
The saxophonist and flutist, who hails from Seattle, spent a number of years toiling in New York
without gaining much attention. That changed to a degree in 1988, when he recorded "Go Tell It
on the Mountain" for Silkheart Records. More recently, Booker T. was featured on Freestyle
(DIW Records) by the Haitian-American group Ayibobo.
The musician has been greatly influenced by the gospel music he was raised with, and later by the
Jewish music he heard playing on weddings and other events when he was scuffling for a living.
For those seeking a different slant on jazz, this concert should prove interesting.
Oct 22-29, 1998
During the first night of a one week performance at
Cancun Club, Osaka, Japan, these tunes were recorded.
Not officially released earlier, but here you can see an upload by Booker on YouTube.
Hussen Kalle Mazeltov
El Corason (Seiki Yukimoto)
Go Tell It on the Mountain
[Total time: 52 minutes]
Booker T. Williams (tenor sax)
Seiki Yukimoto (trumpet)
Kazuhiko Hasu (guitar)
Michihiro Morisada (bass)
Tatsuya (drums)
Ryoto Tanaka (percussion)
Booker T. has also over the years been a permanent member
of Henry Threadgill's "Society Situation Dance Band", an about
20 piece orchestra at least documented at these occasions:
Saalfelden, Austria. August 27, 1988
Fabrik Altona, Hamburg, Germany. October 23, 1988
Verona, Italy. June 25, 1996
North Sea Jazz Festival, den Haag, The Netherlands. July 12, 1997
Hudson Tent, Texaco NYC Jazz Festival, USA. June 12, 1998.
For example the lineup from Hudson Tent, according to the jazzfest schedule, should be:
Henry Threadgill (conductor)
Amina Claudine Myers (vocals)
Bob Stewart (tuba)
Brandon Ross (guitar)
Tony Cedras (accordion, harmonium)
Leroy Jenkins (violin)
Jason Kao Hwang (violin)
Charles Burnham (violin)
Akua Dixon Turré (cello)
Michelle Kinney (cello)
John Stubblefield (tenor sax)
Booker T. (tenor sax)
Rolando Brisegno (soprano sax)
Russell Gunn (trumpet)
Ted Daniel (trumpet)
Oswaldo Melendez (trombone)
Stomu Takeishi (electric bass)
J.T. Lewis (drums)
Roberto Maldonado (percussion)
SSDB plays Threadgill's arrangements of his familiar tunes, partly
from the Sextet albums. Unfortunately none of these concerts have
been commercially issued.
On four clips from Hamburg, we see Threadgill conducting. The first clip finds Bob Stewart on
tuba and Booker T. soloing on tenor sax. The right clip finds Ted Daniel soloing on trumpet and
John Stubblefield on soprano sax. The third clip is dominated by Craig Harris' trombone, followed
by Sherri Scott's and Drew Richards' singing. This duo continues on the fourth clip, followed by
Jerome Harris on bass guitar and John Stubblefield's return, this time on tenor sax. Drummer
(to the right) is Reggie Nicholson and I think the percussionist is Roberto Maldonado:
The following text is an extract and the end of a review, Sashaying In Your Head,
by Robert Christgau from the above Texaco event:
"Booker T. Williams sent everybody home happy by shrieking, honking and
funking to a showboat climax. Stubblefield was so happy that he sashayed
and twitched his hips as the rest of the band filed off."
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