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Chris Williams

Chris Williams has been performing professionally since he was fifteen years old. Now at 28, this Canadian sensation has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining performances are met with great enthusiasm by people of all ages.

Chris has performed with world-famous musicians such as Justo Almario (Tolu / Mongo Santamaria), Alex Acuna (Tolu / Weather Report), Mark Massey (Stephane Grappelli / Barbara Morrison), Dr. Scott Tibbs ( famed UCLA Theory And Composition instructor), Charles Small (Barbara Morrison), Dave Markee (Eric Clapton), Paul Donnelly (Jamie Cullum), Osama Afifi (B Sharp Quartet), Terry Landry (Natalie Cole) , Ernie Nunez (Brian Setzer Orchestra), Caleb Quay ( Elton John ) and Steve Crum (Diana Ross).

He has also preformed with many rising stars on the international jazz scene such as Lisa Harriton (USC Alumni) , Matt Politano (North Texas Lab Band) , Jillian Lebeck and Kavan Manson (Both Yamaha Rising Star Award winners), Gina Saputo (Tierney Sutton protégé ), Will Cruse (Jeff Hamilton protégé), Justin Ray (Michael Buble) and many others.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Chris began by singing gospel music in his parents’ church as a young boy. After moving to White Rock, British Columbia, he studied under the highly acclaimed musical director Dave Proznick at Semiahmoo Secondary School. While in this program, Chris began performing professionally as a drummer and vocalist. He earned many awards including four vocal solo awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and a major scholarship to the elite Berklee College of Music in Boston.

He has since performed at many prestigious venues including; The Bing Crosby Estate, Catalina Bar and Grill, Steamers Jazz Club, The Lighthouse, Charlie O’s, The Ritz Carlton Jazz Series, Disneyland and California Adventure Theme Parks in addition to performances at many local jazz festivals. In February 2004 he completed a very successful European tour.

He has received extensive media attention in Los Angeles in the last two years. He has been featured on television on Fox News 11, and has been heard on the radio on KKJZ 88.1 fm with Helen Borgers; on KABC 790 am with Doug McIntyre; and on KLAC 570 am as part of their Fabulous Finds series.

In addition he is also an accomplished actor, percussionist, poet, and shark hunter.

Chris is currently living in Southern California, promoting his newly released first CD “premodernism”.

Tags

2
Album Review

Moss Freed / Union Division: Micromotives

Read "Micromotives" reviewed by John Sharpe


A question any composer for improvisers must face is whether they can create something more worthwhile than what they might come up with if left to themselves. It can be a tough call. For some, such as Alexander von Schlippenbach's Globe Unity Orchestra or Peter Brötzmann's Chicago Tentet, the ultimate conclusion was no, while for others such as Anthony Braxton and Barry Guy the answer has been far less clear cut. British guitarist Moss Freed falls somewhere between the two ...

7
Album Review

Let Spin: Steal The Light

Read "Steal The Light" reviewed by Chris May


Formed in 2014, London's Let Spin is an electric quartet peopled by musicians who emerged around a decade earlier as part of a scene which was rather lazily dubbed “punk jazz" by British music journalists. The music was certainly loud, irreverent and in-your-face, but it was played by musicians who were conservatoire graduates, a demographic not associated with punk in its original knuckle- scraping manifestation. Let Spin's Ruth Goller and Chris Williams were members of two of ...

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60

Award / Grant

Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Receives Nomination for 2012 OC Music Awards Best Jazz

Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Receives Nomination for 2012 OC Music Awards Best Jazz

Source: Chris Williams

Anaheim, CA—Award-winning local jazz vocalist, Chris Williams has been nominated in the category of Best Jazz for the Orange County Music Awards, to be held March 3 at The Grove in Anaheim. Canadian-born jazz vocalist Chris Williams has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining performances are met with great enthusiasm by people of all ages. Chris has been performing in Southern California for more than ...

90

Performance / Tour

Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Performs for Special New Year’s Eve Steamers Event

Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Performs for Special New Year’s Eve Steamers Event

Source: Chris Williams

Chris Williams, winner of an Orange County Music Award for his Latin jazz along with being a multi-year nominee, will be performing a special engagement concert on December 31 at the Steamers Jazz Cafe. Fullerton, CA: Chris Williams, local award winning jazz vocalist, will be performing at the prestigious Steamers Jazz Café on Saturday, December 31 at 8 PM for the annual New Year's Eve extravaganza. The special engagement concert is marked by the release of a new Christmas video ...

70

Event

Acclaimed jazz musicians to perform at Claremont Graduate University on October 4

Acclaimed jazz musicians to perform at Claremont Graduate University on October 4

Source: Chris Williams

Chris Williams, winner of the numerous vocal jazz awards, will be performing with his All-Star Band that includes 5 Grammy Award winners Fullerton, CA October 1, 2010—Jazz singer Chris Williams and his All Star Jazz Band will perform in the Harper Courtyard at Claremont Graduate University on Monday, October 4. The concert begins at 5:15 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Canadian-born jazz vocalist Chris Williams has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical ...

112

Performance / Tour

Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Performs Eight Year Steamers Anniversary Event

Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Performs Eight Year Steamers Anniversary Event

Source: Michael Ricci

Chris Williams, local award winning jazz vocalist, will be performing at the prestigious Steamers Jazz Caf on Tuesday, August 18 at 8 PM in celebration of his eight-year anniversary performing at the venue. Seating for the performance is limited with no cover charge and 2-item minimum. Canadian-born jazz vocalist Chris Williams has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining performances are met with great enthusiasm by ...

212

Event

Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Performs Seven Year Steamers Anniversary Event

Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Chris Williams Performs Seven Year Steamers Anniversary Event

Source: All About Jazz

Chris Williams, local award winning jazz vocalist, will be performing at the prestigious Steamers Jazz Caf on Tuesday, August 19 at 8 PM in celebration of his seven-year anniversary performing at the venue. Seating for the performance is limited with no cover charge and 2-item minimum. Canadian-born jazz vocalist Chris Williams has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining performances are met with great enthusiasm by ...

83

Event

Vocalist Chris Williams Performs for Special Engagement Steamers Event

Vocalist Chris Williams Performs for Special Engagement Steamers Event

Source: All About Jazz

Chris Williams, local award winning jazz vocalist, will be performing at the prestigious Steamers Jazz Caf on Friday, August 8 at 8 PM to record a new CD and DVD. The special engagement concert also celebrates Chris' 30th birthday. Seating for the performance is limited with a $10 cover charge and 2-item minimum. Canadian-born jazz vocalist Chris Williams has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining ...

110

Event

Vocalist Chris Williams Performs for Special Engagement Steamers Event

Vocalist Chris Williams Performs for Special Engagement Steamers Event

Source: All About Jazz

Chris Williams, local award winning jazz vocalist, will be performing at the prestigious Steamers Jazz Caf on Friday, August 8 at 8 PM to record a new CD and DVD. The special engagement concert also celebrates Chris' 30th birthday. Seating for the performance is limited with a $10 cover charge and 2-item minimum. Canadian-born jazz vocalist Chris Williams has impressed audiences with his intense passion, vocal proficiency and musical maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining ...

77

Performance / Tour

Chris Williams Performs at First Annual Ambrosia Wine Festival

Chris Williams Performs at First Annual Ambrosia Wine Festival

Source: All About Jazz

The First Annual Ambrosia Wine Fest promises to be Orange County's premier Wine Event. Hosted by the Ambrosia Restaurant in Association with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Bacchus Society, the event will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, July 19th, 2008 The Wine Fest will be held within the opulent surroundings of The OC Pavilion situated just south of the 5 freeway in uptown Santa Ana. The event will feature over fifty prestigious Wineries from around the ...

116

Event

Ambrosia Restaurant Presents First Annual Wine Dinner with Special Guest Clos Lachance

Ambrosia Restaurant Presents First Annual Wine Dinner with Special Guest Clos Lachance

Source: All About Jazz

The award-winning Ambrosia Restaurant is pleased to present their first annual Seasonal Wine Dinner with special guest Clos LaChance Winery. The evening features a 5-course meal paired with wines from winemaker Stephen Tebb. The special engagement dinner begins at 7 PM. The evening's entertainment will include a performance from award-winning jazz vocalist, Chris Williams. This 5-course feast celebrates the Spring Farmer's Market, highlighting the bounty of the season with the freshest fruit, vegetables and land & sea selections. The courses ...

80

Event

Half-off Drinks and Appetizers at Award-Winning Ambrosia Restaurant

Half-off Drinks and Appetizers at Award-Winning Ambrosia Restaurant

Source: All About Jazz

The award-winning Ambrosia Restaurant is pleased to announce a 5-star Happy Hour featuring a diverse selection of half-off appetizers and premium cocktails, imported beers and fine wines. Ambrosia's Happy Hour, one of the later running happy hours in the area, starts at 4:30 PM and runs until 7:30 PM, Tuesday through Friday. Happy hour appetizers feature Ambrosia's signature Shrimp Scampi, American Raised “Kobe" Beef Carpaccio, Petaluma Quail, Wagyu Beef Short Rib Raviolis, Pacific Red King Crab and Wild Burgundy Snails. ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Penelope

Self Produced
2024

buy

Micromotives

Discus Music
2023

buy

Steal The Light

Efpi Records
2020

buy

Premoderism

Self Produced
2004

buy

L'Heroïsme

From: Penelope
By Chris Williams

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