Timothy William
Pianist/Producer/MusicianIntroducing Auckland-based pianist, producer and musician, Timothy William. A musical personality involved in a huge variety of musical projects from his 'home' genre of Jazz to Hip-Hop, Soul, improvisation/soundscape, Pop/Covers, Dance and most things in-between. Having studied piano from an early age, Tim (at the age of 17) graduated in Melbourne with an Associate Diploma of Jazz Performance (Honours) from the prestigious Australian and New Zealand Performing Arts Association (ANZCA). Constantly juggling a variety of projects both his own and collaborations with other musicians, he has been acknowledged by winning numerous awards. As a pianist (NZ Top Young Jazz-Pianist) and band-leader (Top Young NZ Jazz Ensemble) at the 2003 Tauranga Jazz Fest.
After a short stint at Wellington's Conservatory of Music Tim returned to Auckland in 2004. He quickly joined songwriter; Deryk Solomon (AKA Solomon Cole) for a recording project, which very shortly saw the birth of the band "Payola". After only a matter of months the band released its first album through Jayrem Records; Gone to Ground, which featured one of Tim's composition; "Time to Leave" as the band's first single.
Recognised as a talented Jazz musician, Tim has been performing professionally in Auckland's (and Wellington's) bars and clubs since the age of 15. Consistently performing in some of Auckland/NZ's top clubs and venues, Tim is currently gigging with his live band (the 'Timothy William Band') and more recently the 'Timothy William MPC Band'. T/W recently finished a 7 month residency at The Coco Club (formally Auckland's premier Jazz Club) which allowed him to showcase his virtuoso keyboard skills, coupled with his ever rotating rhythm section and a series of guest appearances, culminated in a fiery display of live improvisation over jazz/hip-hop/funk/dance grooves.
In 2005 T/W launched his own company Bemsha_music, an identity established as an outlet through which to provide live music ideal for; Corporate Events, weddings, product launches, parties etc... Bemsha_music prides itself on providing musicians of the highest quality; most of whom are recognised as some of Auckland's top musicians. Many have international experience and have either graduated or currently lecture in Jazz Performance at various tertiary institutions in Auckland/NZ.
When he's is not performing and recording, Tim is busy applying his music skills and intuitive nature working with children to tutor piano/keyboard from his studio in Parnell. Focusing on providing a modern syllabus, lessons cover everything from jazz - contemporary, theory, composition even studio/production techniques with students ranging of all ages and abilities. On top of this, he is kept busy with session work (both studio and live) for a variety of different projects/artists, as well as writing for Film/Television and radio.
As is evident in the wide variety of music he performs, so to is the variety of music that Tim attributes as his influences/inspiration. With bands/artists like; Alicia Keys, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Keith Jarrett, Jurrasic-5, Fat Freddy's Drop, Brad Mehldau, Kirk Franklin, Nathan Haines, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Uri Caine, Ray Charles, T-Square and The Roots.
Tim's latest musical venture sees him take the role of producer and 'beat-smith'. Armed with an MPC and his trademark vast collection of keyboards, Tim has pulled together a collection of local talent based around his production/compositions. Not surprisingly shortly after its inception, Tim produced the Piha-Session's EP - the result of a late night recording session in Piha, late '06. As well as this, Timothy William makes occasional appearances with 'A Rockwell Odyssey';, a collaboration with Hip-hop Producer and MC; Mikey Rockwell. This band features Tim as more of a MD (Musical Director) and (synthesized) bass player as well as a keyboard player and is joined by a rotating drummer and guest musicians.
Tim is currently in the throws of preparing a solo record featuring the collaborations and combinations of various musicians and musical projects.
* * * * * *What's been said...
"Timothy William is one of the leading members of the new bread of Jazz Musicians emerging in New Zealand. Not only is Tim a fantastic musician and composer he is also one of the rare bread of jazz musicians that pro-actively promote, not only themselves, but the music scene around them. Tim regularly performs in gigs at some of the top jazz venues in Auckland with his own band and is certainly making a name for himself. Tim has released a couple of demo/promo CDs that, to my ears, are some of the most exciting releases to come out of NZ jazz in the last few years. Tim's funky Rhodes keyboard playing is, quite frankly, infectious - he drives his band members to perform beyond themselves, which for me is very encouraging in a jazz scene that can at times appear staid and boring. Tim is one to watch for the future."
Mark Robinson
GeorgeFm's 'It's a Jazz Thing'"...he possesses more than adequate technical and creative skills on the keys and uses them to [their] full effect!"
DJ Definite of 'Definite and Bling'
"what a beautiful tune"
it's 3a.m in austria, i'm comming home frome a lame night out in town. then i turn on georgefm and what do I hear - one of the most beautiful tunes i have ever hear. please let me know where i can get that tune. all my friends are loving it. it's kiwi made 19min. long and was played "it's a jazz ..." on the sunday afternoon show (02.11.07 around 3pm). Austria ;-) would be grateful if could help me and my friends out."
Georgefm Blog site
Regarding: 'Sanguine', (Piha 2-track pre-release, 2007)"Tim's tenacious approach to modernizing the jazz standard repertoire rivals that of a mad pitbull on the posties leg! ... [Tim's] undeniable energy and passion for improvising lead him to realizing his maximum potential in every performance."
Ron Samson
Head of Jazz Studies,
University of Auckland"Tim is a dedicated, professional musician who is a pleasure to work with. He is a musical chameleon; able to work and fit within almost any musical context. At a reasonably young age he is beyond his years and is only set to improve and grow with experience."
Danny McCrum of 'The Danny McCrum Band'
* * * * * *Discography
Payola "Gone to Ground" (Jayrem Records) 2005
Mikey Rockwell "Kung-fu Kitchen" (Rockwell Records) 2006
Danny McCrum Band "Velocity" (Paper Plane Productions) 2006
"Bemsha_music Jazz Sampler, V.2" (Bemsha_music) 2006
Timothy William "Piha 2-track Pre-release" (Independent) 2007 (Album currently in post-production)
* * * * * *
Click here to download/view this bio in PDF
Click here to download/view the Press Kit/Bio for The T/W MPC Band.