Like many jazz musicians of his generation, bassist Ben Williams draws heavily on the sounds of hip-hop and R&B. He stays anchored in tradition while exploring unlikely repertoire such as Stevie Wonder’s hit “Part-Time Lover,” or finds surprising new twists on chestnuts like “Moonlight in Vermont.” Both of those appear on Williams’ 2011 debut, State of Art, which also features a rap biography of trumpet great Lee Morgan. Since then Williams, the winner of the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition, has been sharing stages with some impressive peers as one-quarter of guitar great Pat Metheny’s Unity Band alongside saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Antonio Sanchez. This weekend he’ll lead his band Sound Effect, which comprises a revolving cast of fellow rising stars.
Sat., Oct. 27, 8 and 10 p.m., $20-$25, Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.
