In 1986, Jim Kersey graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. After moving to Los Angeles, California, He then studied with Joe Porcaro and Carmine Appice. His resume includes five years with the James Montgomery Blues Band, www.jamesmontgomery.com and three years with Coco Montoya - CD available on Blind Pig and Alligator Records - www.cocomontoya.com . Since 2005, Jim has been working as a session and full-time musician, in both Los Angeles and Boston.
“My tastes in drumming and music were constantly evolving in the early 1970s. I was listening to more straight ahead jazz, and fusion… Particularly, Lenny White with ‘Return to Forever’ - Billy Cobham with ‘Mahavishnu Orchestra’, and Tony Williams’ – ‘The Tony Williams Lifetime’.
Tony’s ‘Believe It’ album released in 1975 was produced by the legendary, Bruce Botnick (Doors, Eddie Money, Rolling Stones)… The song writing, production, and performances were both spellbinding and monumental. This record really captured Tony's breathtaking technique, trailblazing phrasing and articulation with a huge drum sound. “
My first time actually seeing Tony play was on the 1977 VSOP tour in Lenox, Mass. He had his signature Gretsch canary yellow 7 piece set, Zildjian Ks and came out in a green jump suit with silver trim. Of course he played incredibly and stole the show. I was awestruck and watched him intently that entire evening. Years later i saw him play at Jonathan Swifts in Harvard Square with his Lifetime band where he also sang "There comes a Time" and other compositions that night. His playing is so hypnotic, how his ideas flow in a very organic natural style. Sometimes, it feels like you're flying on smooth air encountering a joyful rhythmic turbulence that takes you on a fantastic and exciting journey.
Later on, after moving to Los Angeles, I saw him several times with his Quintet playing a more straight ahead modern post-bop style at the old Catalina’s Bar and Grill on Cahuenga Blvd. I met Tony briefly at the 1991 NAMM show in Anaheim, California at the Avedis Zildjian booth premiering his new line of signature drumsticks. I was lucky enough to get a picture with him and my beautiful daughter Amanda Rose.
We later had reservations to see Tony and his band at Catalina’s for early spring 1997 when word came of Tony’s passing. The loss of one of music’s brightest stars lives on through his work and legacy. – Tony is truly one of the best drummers of all time.
Later in 2006, I would start drum lessons with legendary drummer Joe Porcaro in Thousand Oaks CA. Joe had many of Tony Williams’s transcriptions, and even had a story about his son Jeff and Tony recording together at Capital Records studio, saying, “Tony hurried in at the last minute, did the session and left soon after to catch a flight.” On Les Dudek’s ‘Zorro Rides Again’ , Tony’s sound is unique and identifiable - K Zildjian cymbals, Gretsch drums in 24" bass drum, 18' 16" 14" floor toms 14" 13" mounted toms, and 14" snare drum with Remo Black dots on all the toms and snare. His new signature sticks had dimensions similar to a 2B.
Thankfully, Tony released dozens of solo records and played on countless albums for other artists
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tony-williams-mn0000791318/biography
Tony was, and is an inspiration to numerous musicians of my generation. Drummers will no doubt continue to analyze, emulate, and be in awe of his incredible impact on music and drumming forever. If you can get your hands on the February 2008 issue of Drum Magazine there are some excellent Tony Williams transcriptions by Brad Schlueter.
Jim Kersey
Drums and Percussion
(818) 295-3820 (home)
(818) 262-3644 (cell)
https://www.facebook.com/jim.kersey.
