Although known for his surrealistic guitar stylism, Brad Allen Williams describes himself as a “professional listener.” Improvisation is a core musical value that animates collaborations and solo projects alike, making him one of the most unique and in-demand guitarists in the industry. It informs the openness, curiosity, presence, and relentless thirst for context that are his hallmarks—whether or not an instrument is in his hands, and whether or not the music centers the extemporaneous in any literal fashion. In his work with artists like Brittany Howard, Bilal and Nate Smith, among others, Williams grounds outwardly-bold aesthetic choices in encyclopedic knowledge. On his 2023 Colorfield Records release œconomy, he casts himself in productive opposition to his instrument, which he describes as “over-leveraged in the last 100 years of popular music.” The mission is at once modest and extremely ambitious: he aspires to reimagine the guitar’s role and function on an atomic level, all while keeping service of music at the center. (WILL SCHUBE)