Steve Williamson

Steve Williamson (born June 28, 1964 in London) is an English saxophonist and composer.(tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, keyboard and composition).

Steve Williamson began playing saxophone at the age of 16 and started his career playing in Reggae bands (Misty n' Roots). In 1984 and 1985 he studied at London's Guildhall School of Music. At the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday open air festival in 1988 he played alongside Courtney Pine in Wembley Stadium and afterwards was a constant presence at Ronnie Scott's. He was member of Louis Moholo's Viva La Black (1988) and of Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath (1990). During the 1990s he led his own band and appeared in projects of Iain Ballamy, Maceo Parker, Bheki Mseleku, US3, and Graham Haynes. In 1990 he released his first album A Waltz for Grace with Verve, featuring vocalist Abbey Lincoln. In 1992 Williamson he released his second album Rhyme Time, followed by Journey to Truth in 1994, featuring Cassandra Wilson. Steve Williamson's career is based on the constant study of harmony and research of the all possible harmonic approaches to compositions. His musical knowledege, from the studies on Western African music to the deconstruction of Debussy's harmony, is wide and gives Williamson the opportunity to experiment with his music, creating always innovative and unique compositions. His incredible talent as a saxophone player and his vivid originality as a composer make Steve Williamson one of the most versatile and unique "made in UK" performer.

Discography
As Leader As Sideman
 * A Waltz for Grace (1990, with Abbey Lincoln)
 * Rhyme Time (1992, with Cassandra Wilson)
 * Journey To Truth (1994)
 * Jazz Warriors, Out of Many, One People (1987)

Source

 * Martin Kunzler, Jazz-Lexikon, vol. 2. 2002. ISBN 3-499-16513-9