Musicians’ Association of Victoria & the Islands, Local 247 AFM
Online Referral Service • Services for Professional Musicians
A Drum Roll for a Role Model
Jazz – by Paul S White
First appeared in Island Tides, Volume 21 Number 25 (Publisher: Christa Grace-Warrick)
Professional musicians, a minority group in society’s mosaic, hide their private emotions. When one of their kind passes away, they are quietly expressive to each other but the public may be less aware. Victoria’s Louis Williamson, percussionist and vibraphonist, performer and teacher, is the subject of much Facebook comment by his peers since he passed away on October 30.
Mr. Williamson, President of Local 247 of the AFM Canada (Association of Musicians for Victoria and the Islands), will receive a musical tribute performance in the New Year, organized by performers. Celebration of his achievements, good character, musicality and generous spirit will mitigate gloom.
Louis Rossi Williamson was a talented percussionist who specialized on drums and vibraphone. A wag once remarked that the only difference between a percussionist and a drummer was about $300 per week.
Lou was known to one segment of his admiring audience as the tasty drummer in the Dixieland Express Jazz Band, and in other jazz groups–but symphony orchestras, military march, big swing and dance bands, and clinics for students were also treated to his presence. He was a ‘first call’ drummer who always made good time–both with his drum kit and by arriving to work punctually. He was a role model for the respect he had for himself and for public appearance–always well groomed, well dressed (in black) and ever an expression of respect for audience which musicians signify with uniforms and tuxedo wear.
Victoria, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island and Vancouver Island in general, are blessed with musicians who find soft winters and appreciative audiences in greater density than most other regions. I fervently hoped that fellow Island residents appreciate their good fortune. Recognition of Lou Williamson’s remarkable virtues is a good place to start.
Williamson was born in Aberdeen Scotland, (1947) came to Canada, and started his 30-year career with Canada’s military bands, in Halifax ( 1966) and on to Montreal, Camp Borden, and the west coast. He settled in Victoria and maintained his connection with military reserve bands thereafter. He became university-educated in his craft, conducted clinics and helped young drummers unreservedly, and presented himself with distinction, at all times on and off the bandstand.
Cyber-space’s ‘Facebook’ tribute pages for Lou have almost 200 members and many laudatory personal comments from fellow musicians and friends. He will be remembered with great pleasure, in films, recordings and as a musician in stage plays, for his stellar drum solos in major and minor venues whenever he played. His appearances at Saturna’s Jazz Dance will not be forgotten!
A fellow rhythm player tells a story about Lou’s range and depth of jazz knowledge. Once, when he completed a great drum solo–he turned to his fellow band members and said, sotto voce, “That was Phillie Jo Jones’ solo from the recording!” Beat for beat and note for note! He is also reported by the same player, who worked with him for 20 years, as having advised a good pianist who wanted to know how a tune should lead into the ‘bridge’ (the eight bars of a pop tune which release tension and allay boredom between melody routines) and Lou surprised everyone by instantly saying – “E Flat Major Seventh, C Minor Seventh flat five” and so on. Drummers aren’t widely known to do that, but Lou Williamson could and did!
He is also recalled for ministering to a wheelchair-bound ex-Marine drummer at Sun Valley, Idaho by overseeing the taping the frustrated player’s errant foot to his ‘high hat’ drum cymbal pedal with good old duct tape–and it worked! The ex-Marine played on!
The tradition of tribute by peers in public performance is nowhere better exemplified than in central Manhattan in New York City. As a consequence of a Lutheran pastor’s ministration to troubled jazz musicians, almost 50 years ago, the authorities of St Peter’s Lutheran Church at 54th St and Lexington Avenue approved Pastor John Gensel’s request to pursue that end, and the now 150-year-old stone church became ‘the Jazz Church.’
When a prominent jazz musician passes from our presence, a memorial service is conducted at St Peter’s, and in marvelous ambience; thanks to the sale of air space rights, now clasping the building with the towering CitiCorp building.
A proper stage, dressing and rehearsal rooms, sound system and tiered pews for more than 400 celebrants has been built in the lovely little church to stage musical memorials. Subject musician’s peers and friends descend on the Church from wherever they are in the world, and a formal ceremony of celebration follows–5 minutes of eulogy–5 minutes of a jazz band’s play – alternated successively with different eulogists and different bands to honour the subject by expressing emotions through jazz play of peers and associates. It is a marvelous expression of affection and respect.
Lou Williamson’s tribute will be closer to home and easier to get to. The best way to deal with the passing loss of such a fine gentleman musician is to watch for the event and attend Victoria’s 2010 musical tribute. To enjoy remembrance beats private mourning over loss.
A drum roll for Lou the role model will herald his stature in music and life.
To quote a pop tune lyric which contains a nugget of truth, “Heaven just got a little bit louder!”
Back to our Lou Williamson tribute page.
