Happy Birthday, Robert Wyatt

Happy Birthday to drummer Tony Williams

The polyrhythmic master not only sat behind the kit for a cadre of jazz legends (Sam Rivers, Jackie McLean, Herbie Hancock, Eric Dolphy, etc), he led his own ensembles, releasing his first LP as band leader on Blue Note Records, in 1964, at the age of 19. In 1969 he formed Tony Williams Lifetime with guitarist, John McLaughlin, and organist, Larry Young. The trio were at the forefront of jazz fusion, bringing rock elements and energy into complex jazz structures. Through many lineup changes, Williams remained Lifetime’s constant and performed under that moniker into the 80’s, pushing jazz into new territories.