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Press Releases...
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For immediate release August 17, 2004
For further information contact: Tynitra Wilson (714) 305-2413
Chris Williams plays CATALINA’S
Los Angeles – Up-and-coming young jazz vocalist Chris Williams and the Chris Williams Sextet announce their first performance at Los Angeles’ premier jazz club Catalina Bar & Grill on Tuesday August 31 at 8.30pm. Chris Williams joins a veritable who's who of jazz legends who have played Catalina's such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Michael Brecker, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and many more. The performance at Catalina’s follows the successful launch of Chris Williams’ debut album, Premodernism, the product of a nine-month collaboration with co-producer Wayne Cook, who has worked with music industry giants like Pat Boone, Madonna, and numerous world-class jazz artists including The Yellowjackets and Alan Paul of the Manhattan Transfer. The album puts new twists on old standards, including a bop version of Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up,” a samba take on “Come Fly With Me,” and a gorgeous bossa arrangement of Cole Porter’s immortal “Begin the Beguine.”
Joining Williams at Catalina’s will be the great Mark Massey on piano, Edmund Velasco on saxophone and flute, Blake White on guitar, Grant Childers on drums and Ron Suffredini on double bass (biographical details attached in Editors’ Notes).
Chris Williams has been greeted with warm admiration by the Los Angeles jazz scene and media, having been featured on Fox News 11 as a rising star and performing live at prestigious venues such as The Bing Crosby Estate, The Ritz Carlton Jazz Series, The Jazz Bakery, Disneyland and California Adventure Theme Parks as well as monthly performances at Steamers Jazz Club. Glenn Mitchell of LA Jazz Weekly, raves about Williams’ “splendid vocals [and] great scatting”. Williams has appeared on the radio with Helen Borgers of KKJZ 88.1 FM and Doug McIntyre, host of Red Eye Radio on KABC 790 AM, who calls Williams “one of the most exciting young Jazz singers I have EVER heard”. Tracks from Premodernism can be heard nightly on McIntyre’s radio program from 12-5am. For more info, and to hear samples from the album Premodernism log onto www.cwjazz.com To schedule an interview or request a media kit, please call (714) 305-2413 or email cwjazz@earthlink.net Tuesday
August 31, 8.30pm at Catalina Bar & Grill
Editors’ Notes
The Chris Williams Sextet - Musicians Tuesday August 31st.
Chris Williams – Vocals and Percussion Chris Williams has been performing professionally since he was fifteen years old. Now at 26, 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), 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).
Mark Massey - Piano Jazz pianist-composer Mark Massey graduated from California State University, Long Beach (with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music), where he was recipient of the Carmen Dragon Fellowship for composition and he was dubbed "A Young Giant" by the National Association Of Jazz Educators. He has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, the former Soviet Union (in the 1980s), Russia (2001), the Far East and India, and he has worked with Larry Carlton, David Benoit, Freddie Hubbard, Paul Horn, Hubert Laws, Stéphane Grappelli, Louie Bellson, Phil Upchurch, L. Subramaniam, Yehudi Menuin, Poncho Sanchez, Tony Williams, Maynard Ferguson, and many others.
Edmund Velasco – Saxophone / Flute Edmund Velasco is one of the most sought after reed players in Southern California. In addition to numerous performances for Disney Entertainment and such jazz greats as Mel Torme, he is the leader of his own critically acclaimed group - The Edmund Velasco Quintet. He was nominated for Jazz Artist of the Year by the Los Angeles Music Awards. ( 2000 )
Blake White – Guitar Blake White is an extremely accomplished, talented, self – taught guitarist. Having played for more than 20 years, he is quickly gaining notoriety amongst jazz fans and local musicians for his extensive musical knowledge and vocabulary.
Grant Childers - Drums Grant Childers, a native of Los Angeles and a versatile performer, has worked with a diverse group of musicians including the Shirelles, Joe Houston, and famed jazz artists Phil Wilson, Rich Matteson, Ashley Alexander, and Louie Bellson. His experience includes numerous recording sessions, tours, television broadcasts, and musical theater.
Ron Suffredini – Double Bass Ron Suffredini received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Double Bass Performance from The California State University at Northridge in the Spring of 1993. He has since toured the globe and appeared on national television playing and singing with many of the entertainers and popular figures in contemporary music of today including the acclaimed writer/producer David Foster, Disco/R&B sensation Donna Summer, smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G, vocal diva Mariah Carey, the Jump-Swinging sensation Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, R&B/Jazz crooner Bobby Caldwell, entertainer Tony Danza, and the late Gary Crosby, to name but a few.
August 2, 2004 Chris Williams and fans celebrate "Premodernism" Los Angeles – Chris Williams and the Chris Williams Sextet, along with special guests celebrated the release of Williams’ highly anticipated debut album, Premodernism, during the weekend of July 30 – August 1. On Friday, July 30th, at the renowned Steamers Jazz Café in Fullerton, Williams played to a sold-out crowd at his Orange County CD release party. The audience cheered wildly and blew noisemakers when he took the stage, and lined up on set breaks to purchase CDs. Joining the Sextet was world famous pianist and composer Dr. Scott Tibbs, and guest horn players from the CD David Soto and Greg Parman. The standing-room-only event was the culmination of a three-year working relationship with Steamers owner Terence Love, who describes Williams as “a master jazz vocalist…[with the] ability to swing straight ahead like very few vocalists can.” On Sunday, August 1st, Williams and his sextet performed at an encore CD release party at the world-famous Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Pianist Mark Massey was on hand to debut his arrangements from the CD. In his first appearance at the Jazz Bakery, Williams received an enthusiastic reception, with a standing ovation from an audience composed of newcomers and faithful fans alike, including some who have followed his music for more than three years. Premodernism, Williams’ self-produced debut album, is the product of a nine-month collaboration with co-producer Wayne Cook, who has worked with music industry giants like Pat Boone, Kid Rock, Madonna, and numerous world-class jazz artists including The Yellowjackets and Alan Paul of the Manhattan Transfer, to name a few. The album puts new twists on old standards, including a bop version of Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up,” a samba take on “Come Fly With Me,” and a gorgeous bossa arrangement of Cole Porter’s immortal “Begin the Beguine.” There are twelve songs in all. Joining Williams on the album is international jazz legend Justo Almario on flute, clarinet, and saxophone. The great Mark Massey created many of the arrangements, and plays piano on the project as well. Other contributing artists include Puerto Rican trumpet player David Soto, saxophonist Greg Parman, and trumpet player Steve Crum, who has toured with such greats as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, and Brian Setzer. Chris Williams has been greeted with warm admiration by the Los Angeles media, including Glenn Mitchell of LA Jazz Weekly, who raves about Williams’ “splendid vocals [and] great scatting.” Williams has appeared on the radio with Helen Borgers of KKJZ 88.1 FM and Doug McIntyre, host of Red Eye Radio on KABC 790 AM, who calls Williams “one of the most exciting young Jazz singers I have EVER heard.” Tracks from Premodernism can be heard nightly on McIntyre’s radio program from 12-5am. For more info log onto www.cwjazz.com To schedule an interview or request a media kit, please call (714) 305-2413 or email cwjazz@earthlink.net |
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Chris Williams ...BIO................... Chris Williams has been performing professionally since he was fifteen years old. Now at 25, 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 highly anticipated first CD “premodernism”. ..................... Reviews...................
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