PHOTOS

WALLACE RONEY ~ BLUE DAWN-BLUE LIGHTS

QUOTES

Oscar Williams II is a thirty-one-year-old pianist hailing from Kansas City, who displays touches of his two main influences – the unpredictable angularity of Monk and the improvisational flair of Keith Jarrett.

Roney challenged the band members to write the compositions, serving as a mentor in the process. As such, the tune “In a Dark Room” was composed by Oscar Williams II, reflective of the kind of ‘film noir’ vibe that Wayne Shorter used on his ‘60s Blue Note recordings.

WALLACE RONEY ~ BLUE DAWN-BLUE LIGHTS

QUOTES

Oscar Williams brought his tunes to the table and let his personality shimmer, and Roney purposely declined to bring his own tunes to let the compositions of the band shine.

Williams follows with a simultaneously intense and reflective solo that uses strong motivic development.

Williams’ provocative harmonies carry the performance.

Oscar Williams’ “In A Dark Room” is immediately fascinating for the way he uses the sustain pedal on it’s brooding intro.

Oscar Williams II has a big future ahead, and it’s going to be fun to see where the band on Blue Dawn-Blue Nights heads next.