Denis Williams Collection

Drummer Louie Bellson and his big band playing at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 1979
Drummer Louie Bellson and his big band in concert at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 7 November 1979. Also pictured are trombonists Kurt Berger and Doug Wintz

McCoy Tyner performing at the Newport Jazz Festival, Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, July 1978

The Count Basie Orchestra in concert at the Royal Festival Hall, London, 18 July 1980: Count Basie (piano), Cleveland Eaton (bass), Freddie Green (guitar), Gregg Field (drums)

Lonnie Donegan on stage at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, April 1979

Humphrey Lyttelton and Sidney Bechet at Colston Hall, Bristol, 1956

Oscar Peterson in concert at Colston Hall, Bristol, 1955. Artist: Denis Williams
Oscar Peterson in concert at Colston Hall, Bristol, 1955

George Melly on stage at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 8 April 1983

Louie Bellson and Buddy Rich at the International Drummers Association meeting at the Horseshoe pub, Tottenham Court Road, London, 1 November 1978

American singer Sarah Vaughan at the Capital Radio Jazz Festival, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, 1981

Oscar Peterson looking forward to dinner after a concert at Colston Hall, Bristol, 1955
Oscar Peterson looking forward to dinner at Marcos Restaurant after a concert at Colston Hall, Bristol, 1955

The Count Basie Orchestra in concert, c1950s. Artist: Denis Williams
The Count Basie Orchestra in concert. Sonny Payne on the drums

Bassist Spike Heatley (left) at The Bell, Codicote, Hertfordshire, December 1986

Opening of an exhibition of photographs by Denis Williams, Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Herts, 1978
Official opening of an exhibition of photographs by Denis Williams at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, April 1978

The Count Basie Orchestra performing at the Royal Festival Hall, London, 18 July 1980

Weather Report in Concert at Colston Hall, Bristol, October 1977. Artist: Denis Williams
Weather Report in Concert at Colston Hall, Bristol, October 1977. Joe Zawinul (keyboards) and Wayne Shorter (saxophone)

Harry Bence playing the saxophone at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 1984
Harry Bence, bandleader of the New Squadronaires, playing the saxophone at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 1984

Saxophonist Gerry Mulligan playing at at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 26 October 1979

Ronnie Boykins playing at the Newport Jazz Festival, Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough, July 1978

Big Chief Russell Moore, Arvell Shaw and Barrett Deems performing, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 1984
Big Chief Russell Moore (trombone), Arvell Shaw (double bass) and Barrett Deems (drums) performing, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 1984. All three musicians worked with Louis Armstrong during their careers

Stan Tracey and Art Themen playing at The Fairway, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 1992
Stan Tracey (piano) and Art Themen (tenor saxophone) playing at The Fairway, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 12 April 1992

Bobby Hutcherson playing the vibraphone at the Bracknell Jazz Festival, Berkshire, 1983

American trombonist Bill Watrous playing at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 1982

Benny Goodman, Capital Radio Jazz Festival, Knebworth, 1982. Creator: Denis Williams
Benny Goodman, Capital Radio Jazz Festival, Knebworth, 1982

Illinois Jacquet and Sarah Vaughan, Capital Radio Jazz Festival, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, 1981
Illinois Jacquet chatting with Sarah Vaughan at the Capital Radio Jazz Festival, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, 1981

Art Blakey on stage with the Jazz Messengers at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 1978
Drummer Art Blakey on stage with the Jazz Messengers at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 30 November 1978

Count Basie Orchestra saxophonist Frank Foster, c1950s. Artist: Denis Williams
Count Basie Orchestra saxophonist Frank Foster, c1950s

The Ronnie Scott Quintet at the Forum Theatre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, 29 November 1985. Ronnie Scott (tenor saxophone) and Dick Pearce (trumpet)

Buddy Rich in Middlesbrough, 1978. Artist: Denis Williams
Buddy Rich in Middlesbrough, 1978

Shorty Rogers, Bill Watrous and Bob Cooper, Ronnie Scotts, Soho, London, c1982

Bucky Pizzarelli, The March of Jazz, Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA, 1997

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra at The Fairway, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 1997
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra at The Fairway, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 7 September 1997

Acker Bilk playing at the Cherry Tree Jazz Club, Welwyn garden City, Hertfordshire, 1964
Clarinetist Acker Bilk playing at the Cherry Tree Jazz Club, Welwyn garden City, Hertfordshire, March 1964

American vocalist Bobby McFerrin at the Bracknell Jazz Festival, 1983

American trumpeter Ted Curson playing at the Bracknell Jazz Festival, Berkshire, 1983

American drummer Billy Higgins at the Bracknell Jazz Festival, Berkshire, 1983. Artist
American drummer Billy Higgins at the Bracknell Jazz Festival, Berkshire, 1983

Billy Cobham conducting a drum clinic at the Horseshoe Hotel, London, 1980. Artist
Billy Cobham conducting a drum clinic at the Horseshoe Hotel, London, 1980

Aerial view of crowds at the Knebworth pop festival, 1986. Artist: Denis Williams
Aerial view of crowds at the Knebworth pop festival, 1986

Jazz at the BBCs recording studios, London, 22 April 1982. Artist: Denis Williams
Jazz at the BBCs recording studios, London, 22 April 1982. Musicians Roy Williams, Kenny Baker, Danny Moss and Henry Mackenzie getting their parts sorted out under the eye of arranger Billy May

Kenny Baker, Danny Moss, and Henry Mackenzie at the BBC recording studios, London, 22 April 1982
Kenny Baker (trumpet), Danny Moss (saxophone) and Henry Mackenzie (clarinet) in rehearsal with Billy May at the BBC recording studios, London, 22 April 1982

Saxophonist Don Rendell playing at Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 1986

Drummer Bobby Orr at the Ted Taylor recording studio, London, 12 January 1988. Artist
Drummer Bobby Orr at the Ted Taylor recording studio, London, 12 January 1988

Pianist Veryan Weston playing at Bracknell, Berkshire, 1983. Artist: Denis Williams
Pianist Veryan Weston playing at Bracknell, Berkshire, 1983

Drummer Max Abrams enjoying a plate of fish and chips in a Soho chip shop, London, 1983

Guitarist Martin Taylor playing at the Middlesex and Herts Country Club, Harrow Weald, London, 1981

Drummer Simon Morton playing at the Torrington Jazz Club, Finchley, London, 1988. Guitarist Jeff Green is in the left background

Saxophonist Bob Sydor playing at the Torrington Jazz CLub, Finchley, London, 1988

Guitarist Jeff Green playing at the Torrington Jazz Club, Finchley, London, 1988

Bassist Peter Ind at the Bass Clef, London, 1985. Artist: Denis Williams
Bassist Peter Ind at the Bass Clef, London, 1985

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Denis Williams: Capturing the Essence of Jazz Through His Lens Step back in time and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of jazz with Denis Williams, a talented photographer who has captured some of the most iconic moments in music history. From legendary performances to intimate portraits, his photographs transport us to a bygone era filled with soulful melodies and electrifying energy. In 1978, McCoy Tyner took center stage at the Newport Jazz Festival, his fingers dancing across the piano keys as if possessed by pure magic. With an expert eye for detail, Denis Williams immortalized this mesmerizing performance, preserving it for future generations to admire. The Royal Festival Hall in London became a melting pot of musical genius on that fateful day in July 1980 when The Count Basie Orchestra graced its hallowed stage. As their swinging rhythms filled the air, Denis Williams skillfully captured their infectious joy and undeniable talent through his lens. Jazz aficionados were treated to an unforgettable evening at Colston Hall in Bristol back in 1956 when Humphrey Lyttelton joined forces with Sidney Bechet. Their harmonious collaboration echoed throughout the venue while Denis Williams discreetly documented this historic encounter between two jazz legends. George Melly's magnetic presence commanded attention wherever he performed. On April 8th, 1983, at Hatfield's Forum Theatre, he unleashed his charismatic charm upon captivated audiences. Thanks to Denis Williams' keen sense of timing and composition, we can still feel George Melly's larger-than-life persona radiating from every photograph. Oscar Peterson's nimble fingers danced across the piano keys during his spellbinding concert at Colston Hall in Bristol back in 1955. It was here that Denis Williams masterfully encapsulated Peterson's virtuosity within each frame—a testament to both artist and photographer alike.