Tony Williams (age 18) during Eric Dolphy’s Out To Lunch session, Englewood Cliffs NJ, February 25, 1964 (photo by Francis Wolff)

Miles Davis - Four (1964)

This quintet reaches the outer limits of group interplay and blistering pace on this LP, limits beyond which only immortals can hope to journey.

bainer:

Sam Rivers - Beatrice (1964)

Originally released in 1970, this was as inside as the famously “outside” tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers ever sounded. That sound is captured beautifully on this LP, and especially in this ballad dedicated to his wife, along with the sterling accompaniment of Jaki Byard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams.

Rivers is still going strong at 88.

RIP Mr. Rivers.

Andrew Hill - Spectrum (1964)

Totally out of sight.

The lineup is ree-dick.

Bass clarinet FTW.

Jackie McLean - Yams (1963)

At the tender age of 17, Tony Williams’ first appearance on record is a memorable one. Joining him is future Miles Davis rhythm section member Herbie Hancock, who plays out of his head throughout this LP.

Sam Rivers - Beatrice (1964)

Originally released in 1970, this was as inside as the famously “outside” tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers ever sounded. That sound is captured beautifully on this LP, and especially in this ballad dedicated to his wife, along with the sterling accompaniment of Jaki Byard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams.

Rivers is still going strong at 88.

Tony Williams (photo by Francis Wolff)

[Sickening portrait of the boy genius.]

Tony Williams at the Village Vanguard, NYC, September 1965 (photo by Francis Wolff)

Tony Williams in Lugano, Switzerland, 1967 (photo by Roberto Polillo)