Will Downing’s career spans more than three decades, a journey built on talent, versatility, and a deep connection to love and relationships. From his Brooklyn roots, he first made waves as a background vocalist, lending his smooth baritone to hits by Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Jennifer Holliday, and others. In 1988, he went solo, finding early success overseas before establishing himself as a fixture on the U.S. R&B charts. Albums like A Dream Fulfilled, After Tonight, and Classique brought critical acclaim and commercial success, while All the Man You Need earned a Grammy nomination, cementing his status as one of R&B’s most enduring voices. Along the way, Downing explored jazz standards, photography, and radio, showcasing his creative range and commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Tracks from his 2025 EP Still in Love continue that tradition, exploring relationships with honesty and elegance. On Valentine’s Day, Downing brings that lifetime of experience to the stage at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, New Jersey, offering fans an evening of romance, rich vocals, and timeless storytelling.

Epistrophy and Kenny Clarke (107)

Standards Rating 7, Difficulty 7

“Epistrophy” isn’t just a Monk tune—it’s a historical artifact, a blueprint for modern jazz, and a flex by two geniuses who knew exactly what they were doing. Co-written by Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke, the piece feels like organized chaos: jagged melody, looping phrases, and harmonies that never quite settle, which is precisely the point. Monk’s chords grind and shimmer, while the melody keeps circling back on itself like a nervous thought you can’t shake. Clarke’s role is just as crucial. As the architect of bebop drumming, he doesn’t simply keep time—he provokes, comments, and destabilizes. On his 1946 recording, his ride cymbal floats while bombs drop unpredictably, pushing the band forward. “Epistrophy” became Monk’s go-to closer for a reason: it sounds like a mic drop. Rating it a 7 for difficulty feels fair—deceptively simple on paper, brutally unforgiving in execution.

Kenny Clarke

Thelonious Monk

Jazz Real Book Playlist -Vol. 2

Jordan Williams is a rising American jazz pianist whose playing balances deep tradition with a clear, contemporary voice. Raised in Philadelphia, he began playing piano by ear at a young age, developing strong melodic instincts before entering formal classical and jazz training. By his early teens he was already performing publicly, showing a natural command of swing, harmony, and groove.

Williams later studied jazz while remaining active as a performer, earning a reputation for lyrical phrasing, rhythmic clarity, and an intuitive sense of interaction. His style draws from the lineage of pianists such as Herbie Hancock and Mulgrew Miller, combining soulful touch with modern harmonic language.

His debut album Playing by Ear, released on Red Records, marks his emergence as a bandleader. The recording features Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums, Nat Reeves on bass, and Wallace Roney Jr. on trumpet, highlighting Williams’ compositional voice and collaborative approach.