Patrick Williams is one of Hollywood’s great composers. Born in 1939, the American created the soundtracks for over 70 films as well as numerous television series. He won four Emmys for his television music and two Grammys for his album arrangements. Stars clamored after his services as musical director; Williams arranged Frank Sinatra’s last two albums, as well as Natalie Cole’s 2008 hit album Still Unforgettable. William’s Hollywood career had just begun when he recorded Come on and Shine in 1977 in New York and Los Angeles. The multi-talented musician had already garnered a Grammy for his album Threshold, which featured such soloists as jazz great Tom Scott. Scott plays an astounding flute solo on the aptly titled Mr. Smoke. Jazz greats are also an integral part of Williams’ orchestra on this MPS production. Trumpeter Lew Soloff, pianist/keyboard player Dave Grusin, and drummer Grady Tate are on hand, while Harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans solos on the Williams compositions And We Will Love Again and Sail On. Williams feels at home in a number of musical genres, but he has a special love for big band jazz. In an interview in 2010, Williams proclaimed of the standard jazz big band set-up of reeds, brass, and rhythm section, That’s an American Invention. And it’s great to hear how the big band jazz jumps back to life, rejuvenated
