A tribute tune for the great drummer, Tony Williams, by friend and former band mate, Phil Morrison. This recording features world-class musicians Jonathan Lumpkin on drums and guitarist Barry Greene with Phil Morrison on bass. Although ordinarily played instrumentally, here is a spoken word version. Enjoy!

1) He was raised in Boston – Tony Williams was his name…and
When he learned to play the drums it brought him worldwide fame
Even as a boy – it was known he was the best
At fourteen he’d sit in with cats and….always past the test

2) He’d play all over Roxbury…that’s the “Boston’s ‘hood”
Wally’s…Connelly’s…down Mass Ave….any place he could
His dad played tenor saxophone….Tillman…nicknamed “T”
Any club that played some jazz….that’s where they would be

3) He was only fifteen in Sam Rivers band
Hal Galper, piano, Tony, drums, Phil Morrison, bassman
They played all over Boston, Friday nights in Harvard Square
A Coffee House that featured jazz…the hipsters were all there

4) Sam was like a mentor….his music before its time..and
Tony was always cookin’ …he would burn you blind
Originals and standards….what they did was awesome
With Tony bishin’ & bashin’….a student of Alan Dawson

5) Beantown had its drummers….you all know Roy Haynes
Terri Lynn Carrington…Clifford Jarvis…was insane
Just ask Chick Corea….he was there too….
Listenin’, livin’, learnin’…. always something new…

6) Then to New York City….where Tony raised his game
On Max Roach’s recommendation…he soon joined Jackie McLean
Playin’ with the major cats…..Herbie, Wayne and Ron
Once he got with Miles….from there… he was gone!

7) John McLaughlin, Billy Pierce..Mulgrew, Wallace Roney
A master class in music when they played with Tony
“Lifetime” heard around the world….drummers were amazed
Mesmerized while listening to the grooves that Tony played

8) But this song is for Tony….a small appreciation..
He Inspired drummers for the new generation
This song is for Tony….and though he’s physically gone
The spirit from his music is still going strong
The spirit from his music…will live…on and on!

words & music Phil Morrison
(c) 2010 pbm

(Click on link below to hear song)
https://www.broadjam.com/songs/philmorrison/tony-song-miles-drummer-from-boston