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Bradley Williams

Popular Chicago Pianist/Bandleader/Arranger/Composer - creator of the Original 21st Century Review and collaborator with Sheila Jordan, Joe Henderson, Von Freeman, and Art Hoyle

About Me

Bradley Williams cut his teeth in a two-year stint with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd in the mid-'80s, both as pianist and arranger. After settling in Chicago he gained notoriety as musical director at the legendary Gold Star Sardine Bar. Following his tenure there he created his modern jazz variety show, The Original 21st Century Review, which went on to record numerous CDs and soundtracks, touring internationally. During this period he also began to perform as a vocalist. In Chicago he's had long tenures with saxophonist Von Freeman and trumpeter Art Hoyle, is a favorite pianist of visiting New York vocalist Sheila Jordan, and performed with Joe Henderson at Chicago's Jazz Showcase. In 2011 Williams released a new CD, Sojourn, featuring his trio and a string quartet in a 12-part suite of original compositions.

2012 sees the release of his first trio record in some time,”3” - a set of 12 originals by Williams and Eric Hochberg (bass.) The composers are joined by drummer Jim Widlowski, and, together, form a very fine Chicago-based trio.

The pianist has been a part-time professor of Jazz Studies at Chicago's DePaul University for 20 years and also teaches piano and vocal lessons at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.