Shaun Williams (DJ)
Encyclopedia
Shaun Williams is a DJ and jazz dancer
from Birmingham
, UK, notable for his pioneering role in the UK’s jazz fusion
and electro music scenes. Had an early electro club hit with DSM’s "Warrior Groove".
Described by musician and author Mark 'Snowboy
' Cotgrove as A rated dancer and a peoples-champion as one of the early pioneers of the Jazz dance movement
Shaun Williams first became involved in the UK's jazz dance scene as part of an innovative group of Birmingham-based jazz dancers. However he soon progressed from the dance floor to the DJ turntables, where he gained a reputation as an influential and experimental DJ who refused to be restricted in the music he played.
The rise in popularity of jazz-funk
and jazz fusion in the UK during the late 1970s led to a profusion of "all-dayers" being held across the country. These events drew youngsters who travelled in their thousands, to listen to their favourite DJs at venues like Birmingham’s Hummingbird and Locarno (which later became the Powerhouse) and Rock City
in Nottingham
. Williams was a staple of the Midlands' circuit from 1979 to 1985, representing Birmingham alongside other top DJs from around the country.
Following on from his all-dayer popularity Williams, along with Birmingham DJ Dave Till, started his long-running jazz fusion night at Birmingham’s Rum Runner nightclub. Although Till left the club a couple of years later, Williams continued his residency until its closure in 1983. The Rum Runner saw the formation of the band Duran Duran
(who would often be rehearsing upstairs during these jazz nights) and was popular with New Romantics, but on Monday nights Williams played jazz fusion, funk and soul to a predominantly black audience.
As the popularity of electro gained momentum through the early to mid 1980s, so did Williams' reputation as a scratcher
, following regular appearances on the all-dayer scene and his Sunday night sessions at Faces International nightclub in Birmingham. This culminated in him teaming up with Danny Poku (later known as D Mob
) to co-write and scratch on DSM’s "Warrior Groove", released on Elite Records in 1985 and re-released in the same year on 10 Records, a subsidiary of Virgin Records
. Re-released on compilation album Attica Blues
Present Drum Major Instinct on X:treme Records, 2001.
Old school jazz dance
Old school jazz dance refers to an improvised dancing style that originated in the UK in the 1970s. The style grew up in clubs in the UK, mainly in London and in northern cities, to the sounds of bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz, fusion, swing and other Latin-influenced jazz and funk.Innovative DJ Paul...
from Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, UK, notable for his pioneering role in the UK’s jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
and electro music scenes. Had an early electro club hit with DSM’s "Warrior Groove".
Described by musician and author Mark 'Snowboy
Snowboy
Snowboy is a UK-based Afro Cuban percussionist, bandleader, DJ, music critic, journalist and music promoter.Featured in the Who's Who of Latin American Music, Snowboy has released 11 albums and 17 singles in a career that spans over 15 years and has taken him and his authentic Afro-Cuban sound to...
' Cotgrove as A rated dancer and a peoples-champion as one of the early pioneers of the Jazz dance movement
Shaun Williams first became involved in the UK's jazz dance scene as part of an innovative group of Birmingham-based jazz dancers. However he soon progressed from the dance floor to the DJ turntables, where he gained a reputation as an influential and experimental DJ who refused to be restricted in the music he played.
The rise in popularity of jazz-funk
Jazz-funk
Jazz-funk is a sub-genre of jazz music characterized by a strong back beat , electrified sounds, and often, the presence of the first electronic analog synthesizers...
and jazz fusion in the UK during the late 1970s led to a profusion of "all-dayers" being held across the country. These events drew youngsters who travelled in their thousands, to listen to their favourite DJs at venues like Birmingham’s Hummingbird and Locarno (which later became the Powerhouse) and Rock City
Rock City (club)
Rock City is a club in the city of Nottingham, England that focuses on live music.-Overview:Rock City, based in Nottingham City Centre, has a capacity of 2451, and is known for its intimate atmosphere. It has been described by NME as "sweaty, but truly indie". Rock City is divided into two rooms:...
in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
. Williams was a staple of the Midlands' circuit from 1979 to 1985, representing Birmingham alongside other top DJs from around the country.
Following on from his all-dayer popularity Williams, along with Birmingham DJ Dave Till, started his long-running jazz fusion night at Birmingham’s Rum Runner nightclub. Although Till left the club a couple of years later, Williams continued his residency until its closure in 1983. The Rum Runner saw the formation of the band Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
(who would often be rehearsing upstairs during these jazz nights) and was popular with New Romantics, but on Monday nights Williams played jazz fusion, funk and soul to a predominantly black audience.
History
At a time when most Birmingham night clubs operated selective door policies and admitted few black people, the Monday nights were a haven for youngsters from all backgrounds, an environment where they could express themselves freely through dance and fashion. It subsequently became known as one of the country’s most competitive and cutting-edge jazz fusion nights, with this weekly session attracting dancers from across the UK, who came to listen to Williams and to "battle" against the best of the Midlands’ dancers.As the popularity of electro gained momentum through the early to mid 1980s, so did Williams' reputation as a scratcher
Scratching
Scratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the late 1980s, it has been used...
, following regular appearances on the all-dayer scene and his Sunday night sessions at Faces International nightclub in Birmingham. This culminated in him teaming up with Danny Poku (later known as D Mob
D Mob
D Mob is one of the stage names used by British house music producer Dancin' Danny D .The 1988 UK hit "We Call It Acieed" hit #3 in the UK Singles Chart, and was one of a wave of acid house singles to enjoy success that year. The video was directed by Marek Budzynski...
) to co-write and scratch on DSM’s "Warrior Groove", released on Elite Records in 1985 and re-released in the same year on 10 Records, a subsidiary of Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. Re-released on compilation album Attica Blues
Attica Blues
Attica Blues are a UK trip-hop band, who made their debut releases on the Mo' Wax label. Taking their name from an Archie Shepp album, the band have also provided remixes for Ultra Naté, Sneaker Pimps, Silent Poets and DJ Krush.-History:...
Present Drum Major Instinct on X:treme Records, 2001.
External links
- Greg Wilson's Electro-funk website