Ben Williams: “The Universe rewards solid decisions…the doors will start to open”.

07/01/24 • 59 min

Episode 8: A conversation with Grammy Award winning bassist, composer, singer, bandleader, and producer, Ben Williams
►Ben Williams website: https://www.benwilliamsofficial.com
“What makes everybody special is that they are one of one. Nobody can do what you do, and you can’t do what anybody else does”.
~Ben Williams
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:16 – Growing up in D.C. and the origin story...
9:10 – Hearing how music connects with life and soul.
9:35 – How we listen to music differently now
15:35 – Listening to music within different roles.
18:50 - Spending time with Pat Metheny
21:47 – Mentors and heroes, Rodney Whitaker, Stefon Harris, David Sanborn
28:25 – What makes you “you” reflects in the music.
32:42 – The vulnerability of singing
33:18 - José James and “I am a Man”, and social consciousness.
40:10 – What it means when YOU HAVE TO DO “IT” “The Universe rewards solid decisions...the doors will start to open”.
45:10 – New York, moving to L.A., and the next step
51:52: Let’s play something
52:32: Ben Williams/John Daversa Duo
►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video Editing: Max Nierlich
Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville
Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman
Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, October 27, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#benwilliams #jazzbass #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast

Support the show

►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa
Video: Max Nierlich
Audio: Dudley Merriam
Additional Audio: Jake Sonderman
Video and Audio Editing: Yang Yang
Izzi Guzman: Graphic Design
Recorded in Miami, FL
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

Support the show

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

Previous Episode

Luciana Souza: “My favorite thing to do is to listen”

Episode 7 : A conversation with Grammy Award winning jazz singer, composer, and educator, Luciana Souza
►Luciana Souza website: https://www.lucianasouza.com

“My favorite thing to do is to listen”
~Luciana Souza
►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
3:22 – Growing up in Brazilian musical culture
8:40 – Godfather, Hermeto Pascoal
11:38 – “the musician’s musician”.
14:13 – Dorival Caymmi
17:42 – Leaving space in the music
20:54 – Listening and reverence for nature
25:45 – Soul Confidence
29:48 – What’s the mission now?
32:34 – Everybody goes to samba school
34:14 – Trumpet players and singing
36:45 – Evolution from fear
37:57 – Protecting soul innocence and nurturing creative music
42:47 – Dafnis Prieto
45:00 – Scheduling the summer, feeding soul confidence, and following the seasons
51:36 – Connecting to the body
53:29: Writing from improvisation

►Follow John Daversa Online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndaversa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnDaversaMusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johndaversamusic
Website: http://www.johndaversa.com
►Credits
Host and Producer: John Daversa

Video Editing: Max Nierlich

Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville

Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman

Recorded in Miami, FL, April, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#lucianasouza #johndaversapodcast #johndaversa

Support the show

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)

Next Episode

Jazzmeia Horn: "What will you do with what you know how to do?"

Episode 9: A conversation with Multi-Award Winning Artist, Educator, and Entrepreneur, Jazzmeia Horn
►Jazzmeia Horn website: https://www.artistryofjazzhorn.com

“Horn is among the most exciting young vocalists in jazz, with a proud traditionalism that keeps her tightly linkedto the sound of classic figures like Nancy Wilson and Betty Carter, but a vivacity of spirit and conviction that places her firmly in the present”

~The New York Times

~Jazzmeia’s mother

“What do you do with what you know how to do?

~Jazzmeia Horn

►Key Moments:
0:00 - Introductions
2:25 – The teacher mission
5:20 – Harriet Horn, Jazzmeia’s grandmother
8:51 –Musical beginnings in Dallas and the “peewee” choir
14:25 – Early experience with music school
19:55 – The move to New York City
25:43 – “Battle Scars”
32:40 – Bandleading styles (balancing feminine and masculine)
37:14 – Empress Legacy Records
44:33 – What’s next?
46:28 – The writing process (and Garage Band example)

Video Editing: Max Nierlich

Video and Audio Capture: Dudley Merriam
Graphic Design: Marcus Sasseville

Additional Graphic Design: Izzi Guzman

Recorded in Coral Gables, FL, November 6, 2023
►Music
"The John Daversa Podcast"
"Moonlight Muse"
"Junk Wagon"
All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)
#jazzmeiahorn #empresslegacyrecords #jazzvocal #johndaversa #johndaversapodcast

Support the show

All compositions composed and arranged by John Daversa
Daversafications Publications (ASCAP)