Buster Williams © Howard A. Gitelson

Bass players often are overlooked or underappreciated even by “jazz fans”—bass solos often seem to be regarded as mere intermissions while the horn or piano takes a break. Buster Williams commands our attention, as much to his supporting lines as to his dynamic and creative solos. The son of a bassist, Williams grew up in New Jersey, noting that “we were a two-bass family.” He was playing with Jimmy Heath while still in high school, and shortly after graduation was working with Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt. Later he was hired by Dakota Staton, and over time appeared with jazz giants such as Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Chet Baker, Chick Corea, Dexter Gordon, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Lee Konitz, McCoy Tyner, Illinois Jacquet, Nancy Wilson, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, the Jazz Crusaders, Ron Garter, Woody Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, Benny Golson, Mary Lou Williams, Hank Jones, Lee Morgan, Jimmy Rowles, Hampton Hawes, Cedar Walton, Bobby Hutcherson, Billy Taylor, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Errol Garner, Kenny Barron, Charlie Rouse, Kenny Dorham, Freddie Hubbard, and more. But "after working almost continuously for 30 years as a sideman," says Buster, "I decided it was time to take the plunge, step up to the front, play my music, and express my concept of a cohesive musical unit. I've served my apprenticeship under many great masters and feel that it's my honor and privilege to carry on the lineage that makes this music such an artistically rich art form.” Williams was awarded an NEA grant for composition in 1991, shortly after forming the first configuration of his “Something More” band. In addition to his quartet, Williams recent work has included tours with Kenny Barron (with whom he once collaborated on the ensemble Sphere) and Benny Golson.

Danny Grissett © Andrea Canter

The current Buster Williams Something More Quartet offers “something more” than a great bass player and composer. Always traveling in superb company, Williams will bring an all-star ensemble to Smoke with young monster pianist Danny Grissett , the sublime Steve Wilson on alto sax, and long-time collaborator Lenny White on drums.

Originally from Los Angeles, Danny Grissett has been playing piano since age five, studied classical piano through high school and college, and went on to explore his love for jazz in graduate school. He earned an M.F.A in Jazz Performance from Cal Arts in 2000 followed by an advanced performance certificate from the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute where he studied with Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Heath, and Carl Allen. Shortly after arriving New York three years ago, Grissett became a popular sideman, working with Vincent Herring, Vanessa Rubin, Freddie Hubbard, Tom Harrell, The Mingus Big Band, Russell Malone, Jeremy Pelt, and Nicholas Payton.

Steve Wilson © Andrea Canter

Dubbed a “musician’s musician,” soprano/alto saxman Steve Wilson has played sideman on over 100 recordings with such artists as Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Don Byron, Bill Stewart, James Williams, and Mulgrew Miller. Notes George Varga in the San Diego Times, “Wilsonhas the rare ability to say more with less and to let the space between each note breathe and resonate.” The Virginia native began formal sax studies at 12, continuing at Virginia Commonwealth University where he studied or played with Percy Heath, Jon Hendricks, Jaki Byard, Frank Foster and Ellis Marsalis. After moving to New York, he was part of the OTB (Out of the Blue) Sextet and toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Today he tours with many of the top bands in jazz, including the Maria Schneider Orchestra, as well as with Buster Williams, Michael Weiss, and his own quartet (Ed Howard, Bruce Barth, Adam Cruz). Wilson is also a dedicated jazz educator and former faculty member at William Paterson College.

Lenny White

And what better choice of drummer than Lenny White? Best known for his early work with Miles Davis (on “Bitches Brew”) and Chick Corea’s Return to Forever band, White is still known more as a fusion drummer than mainstream jazz artist, which is a shame because he so readily morphs into the latter in the company of such talents as Buster Williams and Patrice Rushen. In fact, much like Steve Smith of Journey, Lenny White has proven to be a master of percussion regardless of genre.

The Buster Williams “Something More” Quartet promises that the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts—and given the parts, that means two nights of exceptional jazz at Smoke!

Smoke is located at 2751 Broadway, Manhattan, www.smokejazz.com. Buster Williams and Something More perform October 20-21, three sets each night at 8, 10 and 11:30 pm. Cover $25, (212) 864 6662.