Musicians come together to support Chicago saxophonist Mars Williams

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

Innovative saxophonist Mars Williams brought a new sound to the Chicago music scene with his band Liquid Soul.

Now his fellow bandmates along with guest musicians will come together as part of a benefit concert for Williams, who recently passed away after battling a rare form of cancer known as ampullary cancer.

Music For Mars will take place at 8 p.m. Nov. 25 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. The show will feature Liquid Soul (Williams will be there in spirit) as well as the Joe Marcinek Band and Jesse De La Pena.

The show will also feature guest musicians Jeff Coffin of the Dave Matthews Band and Chicago musician Ike Reilly. Tickets are available at metrochicago.com.

Proceeds will benefit the Mars Williams Medical Treatment Cancer Fund.

I had the chance to talk to Liquid Soul trumpet player Ron Haynes and keyboard player Frankie Hill about the show.

Q – It is great that so many of the people that Mars has worked with over the years have agreed to be part of the fundraising concert. Did everyone jump at the opportunity to be part of this concert?

 

Yes! Musicians from all eras of Liquid Soul jumped on board as did some special guests who have played with Mars in other bands.

 

 

Q – How is Mars doing these days? Is he still receiving chemotherapy treatments?

 

Mars stopped chemo before doing the Psychedelic Furs tour this fall. They were not getting positive results from what I understand anyway.

 

He is not well at this time. We are hoping that he hangs in there for as long as possible. I know he has so many other projects he still wants to finish. 

Q – What are the goals for the concert? How are ticket sales going?

 

The goal is to bring everyone together as a tribute to Mars and to raise funds for him and his family to deal his cancer treatment and his current health needs. Ticket sales are strong but we are still getting the word out and will continue to do so right up until the doors open at Metro on Nov 25. 

Q – Liquid Soul was a big part of the Chicago music scene in the '90s. Why do you think the band made so much of an impact and did it surprise you? 

 

When the band broke through in the mid-90s, we were combining hip hop and jazz but not just with loops; there were live players and we had a killer horn section led by Mars Williams, plus the free-style rap genius of Dirty MF. 

 

This took the jazz/hip-hop combo to another level. Miles Copeland, Sting's manager at the time, heard the band and wanted us for his new ARK 21 label, his follow up to IRS Records. 

 

Q – Mars has been a musician who is in high demand. Besides leading the group Liquid Soul, he has played with bands like The Waitresses and The Psychedelic Furs. What has made him such an in-demand musician? 

 

Mars plays monster sax solos and big, fat melodies! Plus he has superior jazz chops. Just listen to the Furs, Waitresses, and Liquid Soul records!