Valdo Williams continues this month's obscure and lesser known names as the Jazz Feature presentation. Valdo Williams is a pianist/composer who although he played with many artists including Charlie Parker and Lester Young among others made only one album of his own music under his own name. It was recorded in December 1966 for Savoy Records. Valdo lived a good long life as he was born in New York in 1928 and died there at 80 in 2010. I'm told he was pleased with this album as it represented his music and a culmination of his concepts honed over many years. It is both straight-forward and abstract too and completely original. Valdo was pleased with his sidemen who he described as "ideal". Bassist Reggie Johnson and drummer Stu Martin fill the bill. There are only four long compositions on the album all, of course by Mr. Williams. I know this artist will be a revelation to even the most dedicated and knowledgeable of Jazz fans. Here is Valdo Williams!

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