January 2013
I'm currently writing and arranging new material for the next CD to be recorded later this year - watch this space!
In the meantime, here are a couple of gigs which I'm very much looking forward to...
On February 27th my trio will perform with award-winning composer/vocalist Christine Tobin at the Orange Tree in Richmond. Check Forthcoming Dates page for details.
March 26th will see a return visit to the Pizza Express Steinway 2-piano Festival for the duo with Nikki Iles. We are going to be sharing the stage with some amazing pianists: John Taylor/Richard Fairhurst duo, Janette Mason/Andrea Vicari duo. Check Forthcoming Dates page for details.
December 2012
'Smoke And Mirrors' was ranked number 6 in Mojo's best jazz albums of 2012
A big thank you to all the venues and audiences who helped make our autumn tour such a success. Thanks also to Jazz Services for touring support.
"A cracking quartet, each member threatening to steal the show with some thrilling moments but the strength of the writing meant the group sound was the enduring impression." ( from live review, Bebop Club, Bristol 4th Oct 2012)
July 2012
Dates announced for October/November 4et/7et tour, with more to follow. Check Forthcoming Dates page for details.
June 2012
New duo CD with Bobby Wellins 'Smoke And Mirrors' is released on July 1st 2012
"This is simply 45 minutes of beautiful acoustic music from two talented players who are, without wishing to sound too clichéd, in perfect harmony." All About Jazz, June 2012
Available now from:
jazzcds.co.uk
raysjazz@foyles
harold moores records
broad street jazz, bath
March 2012
The septet was nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Award 2012 (one of 3 bands in the ensemble of the year category)
The septet CD Made Up was ranked number 7 in Mojo's best jazz albums of 2011:
"Made Up is a striking summation and reflection of Kate Williams' singular gifts. With trio, quartet and quintet albums behind her, she stretches to a seven-piece for her fourth album and the expanded palette of sounds is a thrilling vehicle for her evolving and unusual musical imagination."
(Mojo ****)
"Cogent, lively and insinuatingly memorable, Made Up provides, in spades, further evidence of a considerable composing (and bandleading) talent."
(Chris Parker)
"Made Up was written for a septet featuring trumpeter Steve Fishwick, saxists Ben Somers and Julian Siegel, and fine jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane, and Williams displays a canny arranger's handling of this broad tonal palette. There are connections to classical and Latin music, and the "clouds of sound" manner of the Birth of the Cool, but Made Up also embraces fast-boppish intricacies, such as the brisk Stop and Chat." (The Guardian *** )
Made Up is available from:
Jazzcds.co.uk
Cd Baby
Amazon
Harold Moore Records
Ray's Jazz@Foyles
Downloads available from:
itunes
Amazon
Cd Baby
May 2011
Thank you to all those who came to hear the septet at Pizza Express, and also to those who came to here me in duet with Nikki Iles as part of the Steinway 2-piano festival in April 2011
Click here to listen to my tune PelagicClick here to view quintet live at Pizza Express January 2010
More live clips coming soon.