Born: August 9, 1978 Primary Instrument: Vocal
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”.
premoderism
2004
Tracks: Take the A-Train (Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn), All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell / Elvis Presley), Come Fly With Me (Sammy Cahn / James Van Heusen), Begin the Beguine (Cole Porter), How Deep Is The Ocean (Irving Berlin), Sometimes I'm Happy (Irving Ceasar / Clifford Grey / Vincent Youmans), Comes Love (Lew Brown / Sam Slept / Charlie Tobias), Reprise, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (Cole Porter), Almost Like Being In Love (Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe), While My Lady Sleeps (Gus Kahn / Bronislau Kaper), Dream a Little Dream Of Me (Wilbur Schwandt / Fabian Andree / Gus Kahn), Sermonette (Julian "Cannonball" Adderly / Jon Hendricks)
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