John J. Williamson

John is highly experienced in booking and providing small jazz groups for functions, events, restaurants/bars, etc. As an established and respected bassist in London's thriving jazz scene, he has a long contact list of other musicians -- singers, saxophonists, trumpet players, pianists, etc. -- with whom he regularly performs. Get in touch to discuss your requirements directly with a top-quality professional musician, and avoid the uncertainty of an agency. Testimonials: “…reliable, consummate, and versatile… fluent and innovative jazz vocabulary” – Kevin C. McDonald, Drummer, U.S. Navy Band Commodores “…his voice is singular on his instrument” – Brad Linde, co-founder/director, Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra “…a crack rhythm section… rollicking swing” – Washington DC City Paper Bio: Since arriving in London, John has played alongside many of the city’s finest, including Jason Brown, Helena Kay, Nigel Price, Emma Rawicz, Sam Leak, Alex Garnett, Gene Calderazzo, Dominic Ingham, Jonny Mansfield, Jo Harrop, Nat Steele, Pete Horsfall, Trevor Mires, Nick Costley-White, Gene Calderazzo, Hannes Riepler, Matt Anderson, Rachael Cohen, and Sam Braysher. In 2020, John won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, where his tutors included Kit Downes, Nikki Iles, Jim Hart and Orlando Le Fleming, and he received the 2023 Scott Philbrick Prize for highest postgraduate jazz recital mark. In Washington DC John was house bassist for the prestigious Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra led by Joe Herrera and Brad Linde, performing rep concerts under Miho Hazama and Nathan Parker Smith. He recorded twice for Linde’s avant-garde/Americana project Team Players with Billy Wolfe, Aaron Quinn and Deric Dickens, and played regularly alongside David McDonald (Airmen of Note, Kevin McDonald (US Navy Commodores), Marty Nau, Anthony Pirog, and many others. In Leeds, he was bassist and MD for the Leeds University Union Big Band, including performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival and on ITV, and performed with musicians such as Steve Hanley, Martin Longhawn and Ben Lowman.