Enjoy Harlem's First Lady of Jazz Alyson Williams as she explores her jazz roots and takes you on an exhilarating ride called "Summer Nights in Harlem”. Producer & Songwriter Maurice Lynch joins a cavalcade of musicians; Maestro Ray Chew, The Grammy Award Winning Christian McBride Trio with Christian McBride, Christian Sands and Ulysses Owens Jr. Also featuring Kirk Whalum, Ron Blake and “King” Solomon Hicks. These classic and historical recordings should be a part of every Jazz Lovers library
Discovering a talent as imposing, magnetic, and vocally unflawed as that of Alyson Williams prompts both exhilaration and comfort in me.
With many new jazz artists on the scene today, Alyson’s classic vocals give jazz a sense of importance and life.
Alyson has my endless support, friendship and mentorship.
I hope my career and legacy inspire her to greatness and that my belief in her lends credibility to her artistry and talent.
My desire is that my voice be a link - a chain of influence - like one singer passing the torch off to another with a spark of inspiration passed forward like a baton.
Executive Producer / Songwriter: Maurice Lynch
Co-Producers - Alyson Williams, Ray Chew, Ajaay Swindell
Musicians:
Christian McBride - Bass,
Ulysses Owens Jr. - Drums
Christian Sands - Piano “Summer Nights In Harlem”
Ray Chew - Piano “Romance Of You”
Kirk Whalum - Soprano Saxophone
Ron Blake - Alto Saxophone
Ray Chew - Orchestral Arrangements / Strings
Ajaay Swindell - Percussion,
“King” Solomon Hicks – Jazz Guitar
Greg Sneed - Flugel Horn
Engineers:
Ray Chew, Jose Alcanter, Dylan Cocozzo,RVMK Studios - Hackensack N.J.
Ajaay Swindell - Musical Salad - Yonkers, NY
Chris Sulit - Trading 8’s - Paramus N.J.
Pre-Production Rehearsals - Paul Odeh
Editing and Mixing:
Ray Chew, Ajaay Swindell, Maurice Lynch
Mastering- Michael Fossenkemper
Background Vocals - Maurice Lynch, Ty Stephens, Dawn Tallman
Photography - Grayson Dantzic
Photography Location: Minton's Playhouse, Harlem, New York
Make-up - Danny Irby / Hair - Terry Mathis
Style Team - ReNew Artists Image & Consulting, Duane Gazi-White, Rashgene Gazi-White
Graphics Designer - (KIKO) VGINYC.COM
I Humbly Thank Everyone,
Let me just say that I am so grateful to wake up every day and just give thanks for the incredibly amazing gift of life.
Just to be given the opportunity, the ability, the where with all to say thank you for the blessing that is my exceedingly abundant gift of song.
My journey has been long, ever changing and growing and filled with so many amazing people and milestones.
I look forward to seeing what God has planned for my future, and I am excited to have you in my life as part of that plan as I continue on my journey.
Thank you to all of the uniquely talented, amazingly gifted and generous individuals that make it possible for me to do what it is that I have been put on this earth to do.
Thank you for giving of yourselves so unselfishly.
May God continue to bless you as you have continually blessed my life in so many wonderful ways.
Alyson Williams