Allyn Johnson

Allyn Johnson, pianist and native of Washington, DC, is a multitalented musician, composer, 

arranger, and producer, whose trademark sound gives brilliance and fortitude to the art of 

jazz improvisation. Johnson, who began playing piano at the age of five, got his start with

the youth choir in his uncle's church. While a student at the University of the District of 

Columbia (UDC), Johnson was mentored by the late, great jazz legend Calvin Jones.

Johnson graduated magna cum laude from UDC in 1997, with a bachelor's degree in jazz

studies and has since become the director of the Jazz Studies program at the university.

Ben Williams

Ben Williams is an acclaimed international bassist, Grammy winner, composer, improviser,

and music educator. In 2013, he received a Grammy Award with the Pat Metheny Unity Band

for "Best Instrumental Jazz Album of the Year." In 2016, he appeared with Don Cheadle in

the movie Miles Ahead and performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama.

While Williams lives in New York City, he is well remembered in his hometown of 

Washington, DC, and is no stranger to the National Gallery of Art —at age twelve, his drawing

titled And the Band Plays On was selected for an exhibition. Williams now returns to the

Gallery with his trio. He has been playing the bass for more than twenty years, a craft he

honed while growing up in the Northeast neighborhoods of Michigan Park, Woodridge, and

Brookland. He graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and earned his BA in

music education at Michigan State University. He completed his masters at the Juilliard School.

Williams was voted as Rising Star for the 2013 and 2015 Downbeat Critic's Poll Award

and also received the Up and Coming Artist of the Year Award at the 16th Annual Jazz

Journalists Association celebration. He has performed and recorded with a stunning array 

of artists, including George Benson, Terence Blanchard, Benny Golson, Herbie Hancock, 

Wynton Marsalis, and Pharrel Williams.

Cover J. Cartwright after George Beck, Georgetown and the Federal City of Washington (detail), 1801,

National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Otis T. Bradley

75TH SEASON

OF CONCERTS

APRIL 5, 2017 • NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
PROGRAM

12:10 • East Building Auditorium

"Washingtonians on Wednesdays"

Sponsored by the Billy Rose Foundation

The Ben Williams Trio, with tap dancer Maud Arnold

Maud Arnold, dancer

Jonathan Barber, drums

Allyn Johnson, piano

Ben Williams, bass

Honoring the legacy of jazz and tap while interpreting them through

a scope of modern and contemporary styles.

The Musicians

Maud Arnold

Called one of "Tap's Leading Ladies" by Dance Spirit Magazine, Maud Arnold is a member of 

Syncopated Ladies, recently appearing on ABC's Good Morning America and BET's 106 & Park.

Teaching and performing in Russia, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Croatia, the United Kingdom,

the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, Arnold has quickly become a sought after

teacher, judge, and performer worldwide.

Arnold performed in sold-out concerts of Syncopated Ladies in Dubai, Washington,

DC, and New York City and appeared on Season Eleven of Fox's So You Think You Can Dance

with Syncopated Ladies as the winner of the Dance Crew Battle. Arnold can be seen in the

2014 Toyota Corolla's national commercial "Style Never Goes Out of Style" and has worked

with Beyonce on several commercials and music videos. Mentored and trained by Debbie 

Allen, Arnold has taught at Allen's dance academy in Los Angeles and her dance institute in

Texas. Arnold is also co-director and producer of the critically acclaimed DC Tap Festival along

with her sister Chloe Arnold. They have been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives

as arts preservers and ambassadors. Recently Arnold produced Tap World, a feature-length

documentary, with Hollywood producer Dean Hargrove.

Jonathan Barber

Drummer Jonathan Barber, born in Hartford, Connecticut, has been playing the drums since

the age of five. He was first introduced to the drums by his father and began nurturing his

passion and talents at his family's church. During his senior year of high school, he became 

a member of Hartford's Artists Collective, founded by Jackie and Dollie McLean. There he

studied with master artist, Rene McLean, who introduced him to jazz and its African roots

and rhythms. It was at that point that Barber knew he wanted to be a musician. He graduated 

cum laude from the University of Hartford, Hartt School of Music, Jackie McLean Institute

of Jazz, in music performance (Jazz Studies).

Barber quickly became an on-demand drummer in the Hartford jazz scene and

began building his career in New York. He has had the opportunity to perform with many 

artists, including Jimmy Greene, Erykah Badu, Wallace Roney, Jeremy Pelt, Kenny Barron,

John Patitucci, Kurt Elling, Terrace Martin, Charnett Moffett, Stanley Jordan, Harold Mabern,

Steve Davis, Larry Willis, and Abraham Burton.

Since moving to New York City, Barber has traveled and toured nationally and

internationality and performed in notable festivals and clubs. Currently, he has added

bandleader to his international touring and teaching.