Home » Jazz News » Event

70

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

Source:

Sign in to view read count
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 maturity. He has built a loyal following, as his highly entertaining performances are met with great enthusiasm by people of all ages.

The band features five Grammy Award winners and includes Latin jazz legend Ramon Banda on drums; Dr. Scott Tibbs on piano; Kye Palmer from the Tonight Show Band on trumpet; Scott Martin on alto saxophone; Francisco Torres on trombone; Edmund Velasco on tenor saxophone; and Bryan Brock on percussion.

The performance is part of an afternoon of jazz sponsored by the Transdisciplinary Studies Program.

Prior to the performance, Ben Alexander of Queens College, The City University of New York, will lead a discussion entitled “Remembering America's Music: Jazz Recording and the Archive."

Although the lecture is part of the Transdisciplinary Studies class Jazz, Politics and American Culture, it is also open to the public and free to attend. Alexander's talk will be at 4 p.m. in Burkle 26.

Chris Williams won a 2007 Orange County Music Award for his Latin jazz. In addition, he performs straight-ahead and bebop jazz while infusing new twists into the old standards. Chris has been touted as a “Fabulous Find" by KLAC radio, featured on the Fox 11 News, and received radio recognition on KKJZ 88.1 FM with Helen Borgers and on KABC 790 AM with Doug McIntyre. In Canada, his music can be heard on AM740 in the Toronto area.

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 has 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, The Jazz Bakery, 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. Chris has been received with great admiration and acclaim on tours in Europe (February 2004) and Canada (May 2005). At the 2007 Orange County Music Awards, Chris received the award for Best Latin for his Latin jazz rendition of “Comes Love." “Comes Love" was originally written and composed by Lew Brown, Sammy Stept, and Charles Tobias and is featured on Chris' album, “premoderism."

About Chris Williams

Chris Williams has been performing professionally since he was fifteen years old. Now at 32, 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. Mr. Williams schedule can be viewed online at Chris Williams website (http://www.cwjazz.com).

Visit Website | Purchase Tickets

Comments

Tags

View events near Los Angeles
Jazz Near Los Angeles
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

News

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.