David Williams' heritage

The Trinidad & Tobago Express reports about the double bass player David Williams whose life led him from Trinidad to London, New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and back to New York ( Trinidad & Tobago Express ). His father had played bass in a calypso band. David learned to play piano and steel pans as a child, and started to take bass lessons at the age of 12. In 1969 he came to New York and soon played with jazz greats such as Beaver Harris, Grachan Moncur, Ron Carter, the Mangione Brothers, later with Ornette Coleman and Elvin Jones. He also worked in pop and soul projects, and after Sam Jones' death replaced the bassist in the Cedar Walton Trio. As "Happy" Williams he also performs as composer and singer in the calypso tradition keeping alive his own personal heritage.