Basin’s MJ Williams declared 2021 Jazz Hero

Basin’s resident jazz trombonist and vocalist, MJ Williams, has been nationally recognized as a 2021 Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association. 

Williams was one of 23 musicians to receive the award this year, which is given annually to “advocates who have a significant impact in their local communities,” according to the association’s website. She said she appreciated that Susan Brink from JJA made an effort to look at jazz musicians in smaller communities as well as in big urban areas. She said she thinks it’s “about time” that people recognize how widespread the “true devoted love” of jazz is. 

“It’s out here in the boonies, ‘cause that’s how I grew up,” Williams said. She said that although she was honored to be acknowledged, she thinks that the Montana jazz scene is the more “interesting story.”