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Frederick E. Williams

Frederick E. Williams Contra-Bassist Founder of the St. Croix Children’s String Orchestra & VI Art Ensemble Kings Hill P.O. Box 26 St. Croix USVI 00851 (340) 778-8489 (340) 277-6708** [email protected] Frederick E. Williams: After being nurtured and cultivated by my father, the legendary Ohaldo Williams [“Haldo”], who had one of the most successful Latin Jazz & Calypso Orchestra in New York City in the 1950’s & 60’s, and in St.Croix in the 1970’s. “Haldo” has been recognized as one of the most innovative Quelbe Saxophonist in the world. I continue to keep the family legend with all of my musical experience and educational training through performing, teaching, and coordinating musicians, young and old here in the Virgin Islands, and abroad. My accomplishments to this end are as follows:

• A two year diploma from Berklee College of Music, majoring in Instrumental Performance & Arranging [1975-1976](1979) • One year of classical studies at North Carolina central University [1987-1988]. • Bachelor of the Arts degree, majoring in music at The City College of New York [1992 –1995], under the tutelage of “Master Bassist” Mr. Ronald Carter. • Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University of South Carolina [2001]. • Recorded with Lester Bowie 1981[The Great Pretender] & [All the Magic]. • Recorded with Frank Lowe 1977 [Doctor Too Much]. • Recorded with Archie Shepp & Francisco Mondragon 1994 [Octiminus]. • Live video (youtube) recording with Ornette Coleman [Live in London] 1978. • Recorded with James Blood Ulmer’s Revelation Ensemble 1977-1979. • Performed with: Ohaldo Williams (father), Jamesy & the Happy 7, Joe Parris, Bully & the Kafooners, Blinky & the Road Master’s, Jimmy Hamilton, Rasheed Ali, Leon Thomas & Pharaoh Sanders, Don Pullen, Rolando Brezenio, Oliver Lake, Allen Youngblood, James Newton, Arthur Blythe, David Murray, Anthony Davis, Hamlet Bluette, James Williams, Frank Foster, Payton Crossley, Ricky Ford, Dewey Redman, Danny Mixson, Joel Press, Fred Thomas, Roan Creque, et. al. • Toured throughout Europe with: Frank Lowe, Olu Durra, Lester Bowie, James Blood Ulmer, Hugh “Fuma” Petersen, Rasheed Ali, Leon Thomas, and Ornette Coleman; performing at “Class A venues. • Musical director of the play “Tambourines to Glory” performed at Islands Center St.Croix USVI [1997]. • Founder, bassist & musical director of the “VI Art Ensemble”. • Producer of the CD “Safari” performed by the VI Art Ensemble. • Producer of the CD “Tree Change” performed by the VI Art Ensemble • Producer of the CD “Live at the Blue Moon” performed by the VI Art Ensemble • Performed for the St. Croix’s Sunset Jazz Festival (8 performances). • Perform at the St. Croix’s Jazz Vespers Jazz Series (7 performances). • Performing at the Blue Moon Jazz club/restaurant in Fredricksted (VI Art Ensemble) 1995 to 2007. • Founder of the “Ricardo Richards Elementary school’s Creative Art Ensemble, comprised of (40) dancers, (20) drummers, and (20) violinists. • Producer of two (45) minute movies 1. “Don’t ‘Le Go” and 2. From Den Till Now” performed by the RRES Creative Arts Ensemble. • Musical instructor at the Ricardo Richards Elementary School [26 years of teaching experience with the DOE]. • President of Island Revelation Music, INC. • President of St. Croix Children’s String Orchestra, Inc. • Awarded the Mario DeChabert Music Life Achievement Award (2008) • Musical director of the play “Genesis In The Begining” performed at Island Center (2008) • Sunset Jazz festival St. Croix 2007 Danny Mixson’s Trio • Bluebay Jazz Festival St. Croix 2008 James Blood Ulmer’s Trio • Bluebay Jazz Festival St. Croix 2008 Rolando Brecin’o Latin Jazz

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