A-440 ARTIST ID: 31144

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John Fitzgerald Williams is one part of a large and talented family whose members include a university instructor, an engineer and a professional athlete. All were raised to the exacting standards of Walter and Celestine Williams, a popular gospel duo who encouraged their children to reach higher and try harder.

Aside from the gift of voice which his parents put to work promptly in the family chorus, John began his musical adventure on the saxophone. Later, it seemed natural for him to transpose the melody lines of a jazz-flavored horn to the bass guitar. It was a successful yet unorthodox approach, one which has generated resistance from tradition-bound musicians along the way. But give John a listen and the resistance soon crumbles away, as the following "short list" of musicians he has accompanied suggests:

Al Green • Rufus Thomas • Ann Peebles • Dan Penn • Preston Shannon • Mavis Staples • Sam Moore • Miles Jay • Ruby Wilson • Angie Stone • Eric Gales • Mista Ian

With personality, a sense of humor, rare talent and drive, John Williams will take A-440 straight to your heart and Tune Your Soul.




Ezra Williams, better known to friends and fans as "EZ Roc," was born to push the edge of the sonic envelope. A mainstay of the Southern Hip Hop and Rap scenes from back in the day, EZ has contributed more beats and buzz-worthy synthesized tricks to underground sound than almost any other artist, but in spite of rap's emphasis on lyrics, EZ has remained true to the music, as his involvement with A-440 demonstrates.

In 16 years as a professional musician, EZ's training has crossed the spectrum from gospel to hot R&B, backing musical greats like Shirley Brown (who can take the roof off a church) and J. Blackfoot. In dance mode, EZ has worked with United We Funk Allstars and the eternal farm team of funk--the BarKays.

Uncommonly serious and determined for an Aries, EZ can wear out lesser musicians with his endless search for new sounds and new ways of presenting old sounds. This has earned him a reputation among producers as "the man for the job" when a fresh approach is needed in the studio.

Fans of A-440 can look forward to much more bounce from EZ, who, in spite of his nickname, will not let up until you are having a really good time.

Although he looks pretty tough behind that guitar, Anthony W. Gentry is one of the gentlest and most sincere souls on the planet. Tony, as he's known to bandmates, is the first to offer help and the last to leave when there's still work to be done. It's part of that whole Virgo thing about perfection and service, but Tony manages it with graciousness and the natural flair of a veteran performer.

His musical education began on a drumset, but Tony was soon drawn to the guitar for its range of expression, where his easy playing style conceals the profound thought and tasteful choices that underscore every note. The professionalism and courtesy he shows to audiences and fellow entertainers have also made Tony a favorite accompanist to artists like Chaka Khan, J. Blackfoot, the United We Funk Allstars, the BarKays and Howard Hewitt, among others.

Tony has performed in every major city from Greenland to Indonesia, listening and observing humanity throughout his travels. One day he hopes combine his musical skills with his knowledge of people to score movies--that most delicate and challenging of arts.

Hubert Crawford, Jr., began playing drums at age four in what must have been a very tolerant home in South Memphis. Encouraged by family and his teachers at Southside High School, Hubert garnered a number of amateur awards before beginning his professional career.

As a member of the BarKays, he toured Europe and Asia and put the driving beat into their hit single "Certified True." With longtime friends Eric and Eugene Gales, he was stick-man on two releases from Elektra Records--"The Eric Gales Band" and "Picture of a Thousand Faces."

When the Hardest Working Man in Show Business needed a drummer who could keep up with him, Mr. James Brown turned to Hubert. So has Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, who routinely spirits Hubert out of his Memphis home for world tours.

Power drumming during live performance earned Hubert the nickname "H-Bomb," but his subtle command of percussion instruments on songs like "Maria, Maria" remind us that, for centuries before the cell phone, drums were a mode of communication which could be used to send messages of good will as well as calls to arms.


Billy Ross was born to musical accompaniment, (a grandmother, four aunts and Mom are accomplished singers and keyboard players,) so no one was surprised when Billy demonstrated an early interest in music and chose to pursue it as a career. While a sophomore in college, Billy was approached by blues legend Little Milton to tour with his band, but he declined the offer to continue his musical education. However, he did accept jobs closer to home, including a memorable performance as part of the O'Jay's horn section at a Coliseum show.

Such high profile gigs, as well as work with SRO, one of the Mid-South's premier party bands, led to his discovery by the World Famous Coasters--a group of guys who would not take "no" for an answer. Beginning as keyboardist with the group, Billy soon revealed his abilities as sax player and singer and was moved to the head of the class, putting his energetic and enthusiastic spin on such classics as "Young Blood," "Poison Ivy" and, of course, "Yakety-Yak." Touring with the Coasters gave Billy the opportunity to work with other legends of R&B and blues--great artists like B.B. King and Albert King.

In subsequent years, Billy Ross has composed, recorded and performed in every musical style from A to Z (or acid rock to zydeco, as he puts it.) His performance skills have been finely tuned through work with veteran crowd-pleasers like J. Blackfoot, Rufus Thomas, the BarKays and Wendy Moten, so audiences can expect a real entertainment treat when Billy hits the stage.



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