March 1998

Jeff Williams Quintet
Jazz Blues
Willful Music

By Nancy Ann Lee

On his second session for his own label, veteran drummer Jeff Williams leads a provocative quintet invigorated by frequent collaborator Tim Ries (tenor/alto saxes), award-winning tenor saxist Patrick Zimmerli, exceptionally talented pianist Kevin Hays, and elemental bassist Doug Weiss. The album title may lack originality, but the magnetic force of their music doesn't. Soloists stretch out muscularly on Williams' eight originals, and yet, bolstered by grooving rhythms, their warmly-rendered musings remain engaging and listener-friendly throughout.