Marty Williams holds strong for 8 weeks with Jazzweek

San Francisco Gem Marty Williams

Holds strong for his 8th week at Jazzweek

Bay Area jazz pianist and vocalist, Marty Williams, was called “The Catalyst” by San Francisco Chronicle critic Phil 

Elwood. Anna deLeon of Anna’s Jazz Island recently said: “Marty Williams is one of the Bay Area’s treasures. His 

piano playing and singing are passionate, humorous, and unique. Think Oscar Brown Jr. plus Mose Allison plus

Monk with just a dash of Redd Foxx! Yes, unique!”

Marty’s formal training came well after he received his “calling” -- he tells the story of a snowy night in Milwaukee 

listening to Ahmad Jamal’s album “Voices” as a turning point for him. Listening to that album and pondering the 

questions a young man faces in his life, Marty knew his destiny was to play the piano. As with so many great jazz 

pianists, Marty’s spirit taught him to play the music he felt.

Through his career Marty has played at numerous venues and with many other notable musicians in the US and 

abroad. He has been part of the San Francisco jazz scene well over 25 years and plays regularly with world-class 

musicians, guitarist Eric Swinderman, bassist, Ruth Davies and drummer, Ranzel Merritt. His most significant influences 

include Hampton Hawes, Les McCann, Ahmad Jamal, Thelonious Monk, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, 

Shirley Horn, Miles Davis and Junior Mance, just to name a few...