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James Williams follows Rickey Woodard with half a chorus of piano on "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" at approximately 55 BPM, matching the saxophonist's sensitivity with harmonic choices that enrich the already sophisticated Van Heusen changes. His brief statement over the 32-bar AABA form in F sustains the performance's gentle mood, each phrase carefully voiced against the ballad's rich harmonic framework. As the second soloist, Williams's half-chorus brings this intimate ballad to a quiet close, the restrained format reflecting the musicians' commitment to preserving the composition's delicate beauty rather than overwhelming it with extended improvisation.
James Williams was 40 to 41 years old at the time.
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