Claude Berkeley Williamson (November 18, 1926 – July 16, 2016) was an American jazz pianist.
Williamson studied at the New England Conservatory of Music before moving to jazz, influenced mainly by Teddy Wilson, then by Al Haig and Bud Powell. In 1947 he moved to California, working first with Teddy Edwards, then with Red Norvo in San Francisco, with Charlie Barnet in 1949, and with June Christy for two years. Later he worked with Max Roach, Art Pepper and others. Williamson was a longtime member of the Lighthouse All-Stars (substituting for pianist Russ Freeman), performing with Bud Shank, Stan Levey, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli and Howard Rumsey. In 1956 he became the piano player in the Bud Shank quartet. In 1968 he started working as a pianist for NBC, first on The Andy Williams Show, then for Sonny and Cher. In 1978 Williamson went back to the jazz world and released many albums, mainly for Japanese labels, often accompanied by Sam Jones and Roy Haynes. In 1995 he made a trio recording for Fresh Sound Records at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles.
His younger brother was trumpeter Stu Williamson (1933-1991).
He died on July 16, 2016 at the age of 89. ~ wiki ~
Williamson studied at the New England Conservatory of Music before moving to jazz, influenced mainly by Teddy Wilson, then by Al Haig and Bud Powell. In 1947 he moved to California, working first with Teddy Edwards, then with Red Norvo in San Francisco, with Charlie Barnet in 1949, and with June Christy for two years. Later he worked with Max Roach, Art Pepper and others. Williamson was a longtime member of the Lighthouse All-Stars (substituting for pianist Russ Freeman), performing with Bud Shank, Stan Levey, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli and Howard Rumsey. In 1956 he became the piano player in the Bud Shank quartet. In 1968 he started working as a pianist for NBC, first on The Andy Williams Show, then for Sonny and Cher. In 1978 Williamson went back to the jazz world and released many albums, mainly for Japanese labels, often accompanied by Sam Jones and Roy Haynes. In 1995 he made a trio recording for Fresh Sound Records at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles.
His younger brother was trumpeter Stu Williamson (1933-1991).
He died on July 16, 2016 at the age of 89. ~ wiki ~
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Claude Berkeley Williamson (18 de noviembre de 1926 - 16 de julio de 2016) fue un pianista de jazz estadounidense.
Williamson
estudió en el Conservatorio de Música de Nueva Inglaterra antes de
pasarse al jazz, influenciado principalmente por Teddy Wilson, y luego
por Al Haig y Bud Powell. En 1947 se trasladó a California, trabajando
primero con Teddy Edwards, luego con Red Norvo en San Francisco, con
Charlie Barnet en 1949 y con June Christy durante dos años. Más tarde
trabajó con Max Roach, Art Pepper y otros. Williamson fue miembro
durante mucho tiempo de los Lighthouse All-Stars (sustituyendo al
pianista Russ Freeman), actuando con Bud Shank, Stan Levey, Bob Cooper,
Conte Candoli y Howard Rumsey. En 1956 se convirtió en el pianista del
cuarteto de Bud Shank. En 1968 empezó a trabajar como pianista para la
NBC, primero en The Andy Williams Show, y luego para Sonny and Cher. En
1978, Williamson volvió al mundo del jazz y publicó muchos discos,
principalmente para sellos japoneses, a menudo acompañado por Sam Jones y
Roy Haynes. En 1995 realizó una grabación en trío para Fresh Sound
Records en el Jazz Bakery de Los Ángeles.
Su hermano menor era el trompetista Stu Williamson (1933-1991).
