I was always totally enthralled by Tony Williams’ playing. Ever since I was first aware listening to him on Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" I was a total fan... Absolutely stunned by his depth, feel, and creativity. Also, he seemed completely fearless and willing to just completely throw it out there when the spirit hit him. After hearing him for the first time I couldn't help but go on a quest to find more! It seemed absolutely astounding to me that one as young as he was on the Miles Davis stuff could be so deep and have such a well established style and voice at that age!
I only had the chance to see him play live once and it was of course unforgettable. He played at a small Los Angeles jazz club in in the early 1990's and unfortunately the only tickets available put me within inches of his front bass drum head! This was actually a double edged sword because while the overall sound was anything but balanced when he would get on the bass drum it was almost like "I could tell what he ate for breakfast!". Man, his touch and sense of dynamics in addition to that amazing imagination of his were on full display. I left there feeling both inspired and embarrassed about my lack of vocabulary and imagination - like Rick Schlosser so aptly put it... "I Felt like I played a completely different instrument".
My next encounter with Tony was a few years later at an after party for both Zildjian and DW Drums at The NAMM Show. I had been practicing a three pedal ositinato with my right hand playing a pattern between two toms over which I would try to solo on the snare with my left hand. I wasn't very comfortable at all doing this and most likely not well rehearsed enough to even try it. I made the mistake of looking up while attempting this and who should I meet eyes with... Yup! It was him!! Boy did I ever bail on that idea quickly! He was very kind to me and I was always taken by how patient he was with most all of us mega fans. He will always remain such a huge inspiration to me and to most all of us I know. Thank you Tony for all you have given us.... It's more than enough for many "Lifetimes", pun intended.
~ Tris Imboden