One of the most intensely creative, dynamic and exciting jazz performers on the UK scene, Gareth Williams has been receiving increasing critical and public acclaim since becoming a professional musician in the early 90s. Described as "jewel of a player... spinning out luminous introductions and codas" by Jazziz Magazine (USA), he has dazzled audiences not only by his virtuoso approach to the jazz piano, but also by his multi-instrumentalist talents on guitar and vocals.
An electrifying jazz performer, he has been described as "a fantastic improviser" by John Fordham in The Guardian and "If you've seen Williams perform, you'll know that he's the embodiment of creative energy, a physical player who gets wrapped up in his work, with a keyboard command that's both impressive and well-directed" by Peter Vacher in Jazzwise.
Gareth Williams first major professional engagement was as keyboard player/MD for jazz hip-hop band Us3 (whose most celebrated hit was 'Cantaloop'). He performed with the band on a world tour in 1993 and appears on their album 'Broadway & 52nd' (Blue Note). Gareth has since worked as jazz pianist/MD for internationally acclaimed jazz singer Claire Martin (six times winner of the British Jazz Singer of the Year awards) and has also been involved in arranging her music, writing original compositions for her band, singing and playing guitar. He has worked with many international jazz greats, including Art Farmer, George Coleman, Bud Shank, James Moody and Dave Liebman, plus top British musicians such as Jim Mullen, Martin Taylor, Martin Drew, Tommy Smith, Tim Garland, Clark Tracey, Gwyneth Herbert and Iain Ballamy.
Gareth Williams Power Trio also displays the talents of two other leading lights in British jazz music.
Laurence Cottle combines a virtuosic approach to the electric bass with an incredible time centre. Laurence Cottle has played and recorded with some of the leading musicians in the UK and from around the world, including Sting, Cher and Seal. Whilst working with Michael Kamen he has recorded for films like Lethal Weapon and Mr. Holland's Opus. Laurence often ventures into the world of jazz and its surrounding planets, being the regular bass player with Claire Martin and with his own band, Laurence Cottle Big Band. How would you define musical versatility? How's this, playing bass on Headless Cross with Black Sabbath and the Hanson Christmas album? The soundtrack for Britney Spears movie Crossroads? Other big names like Eric Clapton, the Bee Gees, Procul Harum, Mike Oldfield and many more have played and recorded with Laurence, just to name but a few.
On drums, Ian Thomas displays an astonishing sensitivity as well as the compelling drive and remarkable musical integrity that have made him one of the UK's most in-demand drummers. Ian Thomas started playing the drums at the age of 12. With no real formal music education and no gig Ian moved to London in 1984 to pursue a career playing drums. It wasn’t long before it took off; he became the backbone to the NYJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra), which then progressed to numerous jazz gigs. Ian is renowned for having a versatile drumming style, for a wide range of musical genres and has established himself as one of the most in demand session drummers in the UK. In the studio, working with artists such as Seal or producers like George Martin, working on TV themes, Jingles and Feature Films, including the Oscar-winning Leaving Las Vegas, to playing live with Tom Jones, Paul Mcartney, Sting, Eric Clapton and Elton John amongst a list of many.
The Gareth Williams Power Trio released their first album "Shock!" on Linn Records in March 2009.
