Village Sunset Music Series - Ben Williams

The Village Sunset Music Series has been conceived to be the background sounds to your outdoor dining experience, in our #pedestrianfriendly Maplewood downtown. The Friday and Saturday music series will feature the talent of locally-grown musicians. Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture in collaboration with Maplewood Village Alliance, are injecting much needed energy and rhtythm to the streets of our artsy town.

Come eat and stroll, while enjoying the masks on-socially distanced performance this week!

Ben Williams, whose trombone playing has been hailed by the Audiophile Review as being “soulful and thoughtful, with a rich, expressive sound “. has extensive performing experience as a freelance artist in the New York City area. A co- recipient of a Jazz Fellowship Grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, Ben has led and co-led numerous groups under his own name performing in many venues in the NYC area and across the country. As a sideman he has performed and recorded with artists as diverse as Oliver Lake, Southside Johnny, Keely Smith, Johnny Mathis and Clarence Clemons. Ben has recorded for Concord Records as well as many independent labels, and has done much soundtrack work for TV and movies. He also has appeared in front of the camera as well: his appearances have included Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the movie Little Manhattan. Hot House magazine says of Ben, "Like Jimmy Knepper, Williams is a distinctive and resourceful trombonist. He’s not afraid to let the horn sound like itself”

** Safety measures are in place and Social Distancing Ambassadors will remind you to stay 6 feet apart and wear your masks. We will be following the governor’s outdoor gathering guidelines**