Willie Jones III
Aarhus, Denmark 2007
Photo Hreinn Gudlaugsson
Willie Jones III (born 1968) is a jazz drummer.
He has played, toured, and/or recorded with Horace Silver, Roy Hargrove, Arturo Sandoval, on the Grammy-winning album Hot House (1998),[1] Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, and Herbie Hancock.[1]
His group Black Note released several albums in the 1990s. He is appreciated by jazz musicians for his exceptional speed and control, together with his use of a wide range of textures which characterize most of his playing. He is a master of many styles and moves quickly and easily between be-bop, big band, avante guard, and Latin jazz grooves. He has regularly played with pianist Eric Reed, as the drummer for Wynton Marsalis' Jazz at Lincoln Center, and has several CDs released as a leader on his own label, playing hard bop and swing.
In 2000, Jones founded an independent jazz label, WJ3 Records.
In 2014, Jones filed a lawsuit against California rapper Kendrick Lamar for allegedly sampling "The Thorn" illegally in Lamar's song "Rigamortis".[2]
Discography
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2015) |
As sideman
| Year recorded | Leader | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Peter Zak | For Tomorrow | SteepleChase |
| 2009 | Cedar Walton | Voices Deep Within | HighNote |
| 2011 | Cedar Walton | The Bouncer | HighNote |
| 2013 | Peter Zak | The Disciple | SteepleChase |
References
- ^ a b Willie Jones, III at allmusic
- ^ "Jazz Drummer Willie Jones III Sues Rapper Kendrick Lamar Over Stolen Sample". The Jazz Line. The Jazz Line. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
