Press Release by: Kelly Haggard
Venue: Steamers Jazz Cafe (Fullerton, CA USA)
August 21 - Chris Williams, local award winning jazz vocalist, will be performing at the prestigious Steamers Jazz Café on Tuesday, August 21 at 8 PM, marking his 6-year anniversary as a regular Steamers performer.
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.
“He's having FUN, and the audience knows it and wants to join in on it,” said Terence M. Love, owner of Steamers. “As a club owner, packing a house usually is a good indicator of how well-liked a performer is. Chris Williams not only fills the room each performance, his audience stays until the end of the night!”
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 is a regular performer at the 5-star Ambrosia restaurant and The Vault VIP Lounge. He performs the third Tuesday each month at Steamers and has been doing so for the last 6 years. 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.
Love adds, “For Williams, it isn't that he knows how to sing jazz standards, but that he is a vocalist searching for more. A performance provides Chris the opportunity to learn, manipulate, reflect, and often dissect a tune in search of its feeling and meaning. Chris Williams always seems to achieve this goal, and does it with style and presence that makes it seem effortless. Don't miss this gifted, unpretentious gem.”
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 performed 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.
“Blessed with great intonation, a true sense of rhythm, and the stage presence of a seasoned veteran, Williams always delivers, and delivers well,” Terence M. Love said. "Having witnessed 13 years of great jazz vocalists on the stage of Steamers like George Benson, Diana Krall, Karrin Allyson, and Rebecca Parris, I can add, without hesitation, Chris Williams to the list.”
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). Earlier this year 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”.
Entrance into the performance is free with a 2-item minimum. Steamers’ menu features lasagna and pasta specials, Thai curry dishes, Paninis, gumbo, meal-sized salads, gourmet pizzas, deli sandwiches and desserts. Steamers’ beverage service includes cocktails made from premium liquors, dozens of fine wines by the glass or bottle, and bottled beers. Available throughout the day is a wide array of international and flavored coffees and espresso drinks, plus ice-cold soft drinks including sodas, tropical iced tea, fruit drinks and sparkling bottled waters. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling Steamers at 714-871-8800.
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About Chris Williams
Chris Williams has been performing professionally since he was fifteen years old. Now at 29, 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 www.cwjazz.com or at www.myspace.com/chriswilliamsentertainment.
For more information: Hear Chris Williams music
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