Roy Williams Plays With The Bob Hudson Trio – Standard Time

Standard Time by Roy Williams with the Bob Hudson Trio

A relaxed and beautifully executed set of jazz standards, Standard Time brings together trombonist Roy Williams and the elegant support of the Bob Hudson Trio for a warm, understated session rooted in classic swing tradition and intimate trio interplay.

Williams is best known for his lyrical tone and effortless phrasing, and this recording places those qualities front and centre. Across a carefully chosen selection of Great American Songbook favourites, he delivers performances that favour melodic storytelling over technical display, supported by a trio that listens closely and responds with subtlety and swing.

The repertoire leans heavily into jazz standards that have long defined the language of the genre, including “Stella By Starlight”, “In A Sentimental Mood”, and “Yesterdays”. Rather than reinventing these pieces, the group focuses on clarity, tone, and emotional depth - allowing the strength of the melodies and the natural flow of improvisation to carry the album.

What makes Standard Time particularly appealing is its sense of ease: nothing feels rushed or overstated. Instead, it sits comfortably in the tradition of late-night jazz club sessions, where communication between musicians is subtle but constant, and every note feels considered.

Tracklist:

1. Stella By Starlight – 4:15
2. Mean To Me – 4:26
3. In A Sentimental Mood – 4:00
4. Here’s That Rainy Day – 4:29
5. Gone With The Wind – 6:13
6. Thou Swell – 4:45
7. Emily – 3:30
8. Yesterdays – 5:19
9. I Thought About You – 4:25
10. The Way You Look Tonight – 3:07
11. You’ve Changed – 5:08
12. That’s All – 3:07