Ben Williams presents “Between Church & State: The Album+Film”

D.C. jazz bassist Ben Williams digs into his family history of activism and religion on his fourth studio album, , which came out Friday, May 2.

Williams was already known as one of the best young bassists in jazz – or “Black American Music” as his collaborator Nicholas Payton calls it – when he released his album I Am A Man in 2020. The album is based on Williams’ introspection about social justice and the human experience during the latter half of the last decade.

“[It was] sort of touching on these themes of the Civil Rights era and what continues to go on in this country and the world, just how I feel about it – and I communicate it through my music. [I] really wanted to highlight the humanity of Black American culture.”

Williams also started singing on that record, a pivot for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Juilliard-educated musician who won the Thelonious Monk (now Herbie Hancock) in 2009.  After years of being on the road with musicians at the cutting edge of jazz’s modern fusions with soul, R&B and hip-hop, Williams brought that sound into his own music.

-Tyrone Turner, Wamu

Personnel:

Braxton Cook - saxophone

Andrew Renfroe - guitar

Brandon Coleman - piano/keyboards

Jonathan Pinson - drums

Special guest Sy Smith - vocals

One show - No Intermission. Tickets can be reserved up to 2:00 p.m. on the day of the show (Remaining tickets available at door at show time.) FREE PARKING in the lot adjacent to the venue.

No Refunds.

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