Shaun Williams (DJ)

The rise in popularity of jazz-funk and jazz fusion in the UK during the late 1970s led to a profusion of "all-dayers"{{cite web|title=The History of the UK Jazz Dance|url=http://ukvibe.org/index.php/interviews/the_history_of_the_uk_jazz_dance|publisher=UK Vibe|accessdate=29 May 2012|author=The Dood|year=2005–2009}} being held across the country. These events drew youngsters who travelled in the thousands to listen to their favourite DJs at venues like Birmingham's Hummingbird and LocarnoCotgrove 2009, p 88 Interview with Colin Curtis (which later became the Powerhouse) and Rock City in Nottingham.

Shaun Williams first became involved in the UK's jazz dance scene as part of an innovative group of Birmingham-based jazz dancers.Cotgrove 2009, p. 128 Interview with Graham Warr{{cite web|title=BIRMINGHAM 2010 SPOTLIGHT ON DJ'S KWAI @LORD BYRON|url=http://colincurtisconnection.blogspot.com/2010/01/birmingham-2010-spotlight-on-djs-kwai.html|work=Colin Curtis Connection|publisher=Google|accessdate=29 May 2012|author=Colin Curtis|date=11 January 2010}} However he soon progressed from the dance floor to DJ turntables, where he gained a reputation as an influentialCotgrove 2009, p. 128[http://colincurtisconnection.blogspot.com/2010/01/colin-curtis-talks-to-birmingham-dj-imd.html Colin Curtis Connection] Colin Curtis interviews DJ IMD and experimentalCotgrove 2009, p. 141 Interview with Bruce QCotgrove 2009, p. 134 Interview with Linford "Fanny" Taylor DJ who refused to be restricted in the music he played.Cotgrove 2009, p. 129 Interview with Shaun Williams Williams was a staple of the Midlands' circuit from 1979 to 1985,Monson, Tony, "Funk Finder", Black Echoes, London, 9 May 1981Monson, Tony, "Down at the club", Black Echoes, London, 9 May 1981Kilbourn, Bob, "B & S clubs report", Blues & Soul, London, 14 February 1984 representing Birmingham alongside other top DJs from around the country.[http://www.djhistory.com/interviews/colin-curtis "DJhistory.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921233438/http://djhistory.com/interviews/colin-curtis |date=21 September 2010 }} Interview with Colin Curtis by Bill Brewster on DJHistory.com

At a time when most Birmingham night clubs operated selective door policies and admitted few black people,Cotgrove 2009, p 127-8 Interview with Graham Warr 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,Cotgrove, 2009, p 92-3 Interview with Hewan Clarke with the weekly session attracting dancers from across the UK, who came to listen to Williams and to "battle" against the best of the Midlands' dancers.Cotgrove, 2009, p 100 Interview with The Jazz Defectors{{cite web|title=Dancing in Outer Space : Stepping into the future|url=http://www.independentmovement.co.uk/articles/Uk%20Jazz%20Dance.pdf|publisher=Independent Movement|accessdate=29 May 2012|author=Paul Bradshaw|year=2008}}

Following his all-dayer popularityCotgrove, 2009, p 132 Interview with Rhythm Doctor 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.Dodd, Ros, [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+right+Rum+do%3B+The+Rum+Rummer+Reunion+at+Ronnie+Scotts+was+a+big...-a060550390 "A right Rum do; The Rum Rummer Reunion at Ronnie Scotts was a big hit"] The Birmingham Post. Retrieved 26 April 2011 The Rum Runner saw the formation of the band Duran Duran (who would often be rehearsing upstairs during these jazz nights)Odell, Michael, [https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/nov/16/popandrock.duranduran "In their own words: Duran Duran reveal all] Observer Music Monthly, The Observer, 16 November 2003. Retrieved 26 April 2011 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.Avenger, The, "Night Clubbing", Black Echoes, London, 9 March 1985Avenger, The, "Night Clubbing", Black Echoes, London, 17 August 1985 This culminated in him teaming up with Danny Poku[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Danny+Poku#t=Credits_Writing-Arrangement&q=&p=1Danny Poku] (later known as D Mob) to co-write and scratch on DSM's "Warrior Groove",[http://www.discogs.com/DSM-Warrior-Groove/release/365271 Warrior Groove] Elite Records, released on Elite Records in 1985 and re-released in the same year on 10 Records,[http://www.discogs.com/DSM-Warrior-Groove/release/254256 Warrior Groove] Ten Records a subsidiary of Virgin Records. It was re-released on compilation album Attica Blues Present Drum Major Instinct[http://www.discogs.com/Various-Attica-Blues-Present-Drum-Major-Instinct/master/114473 Attica Blues Present Drum Major Instinct] X:treme Records on X:treme Records, 2001.

• Jazz Fusion
• Jazz-funk
• New Romantics

{{Reflist}}

• Cotgrove, Mark (2009). Mark Cotgrove, "''From Jazz Funk & Fusion to Acid Jazz: The History of the UK Jazz Dance Scene". Chaser Publications. {{ISBN|978-1-4389-7360-9}}.

• Greg Wilson's [http://www.gregwilson.co.uk/2012/01/redesigned-revitalized/ Electro-funk website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Shaun}}

Category:British club DJs

Category:English house musicians

Category:Living people

Category:British electronic dance music DJs

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)