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Lori Williams

Described by President Joseph R. Biden as having "the voice of an angel…absolutely amazing," Lori Williams has a most impressive resume as an international performing artist, vocalist, award-winning music educator, choral director, songwriter, producer, m

About Me

Acclaimed international Jazz vocalist Lori Williams has a most impressive resume as a performing artist, music educator, songwriter, producer, musical theater actress, radio voice announcer, business owner (PositiveMusicPM.org), and artist-in- residence with over 30 years of experience. Her annual vocal jazz tour and performance at music festivals have taken her to Europe (Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Ukraine), Japan, British Virgin Islands, and across the USA. Her vocal jazz artist residencies have allowed her to work with and mentor students on college campuses in the United States and abroad.

As a veteran educator and private vocal coach, Lori's received many honors including Outstanding Music Teacher, the 2007 Superintendent's Arts Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year. Lori was nominated for a 2014 Helen Hayes Award as an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical for her role as Ella Fitzgerald. Lori has received letters of recognition for her performances by President Joseph Biden, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and Senator C. Anthony Muse. “Immersed in traditional jazz from an early age and earning a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University, she hosts a weekly radio program on JazzRadioWETF.org - “Collector's Choice With Lori Williams”. Her weekly broadcast focuses on women in jazz, the international scene and young performers dedicated to the roots and traditions of the music. Lori is also the producer and host of Sunday Jazz Lounge at St. James Live! Jazz club in Atlanta, Georgia (stjamesliveatl.com).

For over three decades, Lori Williams has had the honor of working with many notable artists as lead / background / studio session / guest vocalist including Oleta Adams, Yolanda Adams, David Archuleta, Marcos Ariel, Rob Bargad, Eric Benet, The Blackbyrds, Michael Bowie, Norman Brown, Tom Browne, Peabo Bryson, Chuck Brown, Wayne Bruce, Jerry Butler, Jonathan Butler, Paul Carr, Terri Lyne Carrington, TC Carson, Gene Chandler, Renato Chicco, Stanley Clarke, Nick Colionne, Collaboration, Michael Colyar, Adrian Crutchfield, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, John Davis, John Di Martino, Will Downing, Joris Dudli, George Duke, Nathan East, Rodney Edge, Troy Sol Edler, Kevon Edmonds (After 7), Jorel “JFLY” Flynn (HBIYD), Derrick Gardner, James Genus, Jazmin Ghent, Savion Glover, Chelsey Green, Slide Hampton, Winard Harper, Christian Havel, Walter Hawkins, Howard Hewett, Dr. W. Weldon Hill, Tony Hightower, Corcoran Holt, William Hubbard, Daryl Hunt, Jessy J, Al Johnson, Allyn Johnson (Divine Order), Marcus Johnson, Stanley Jordan, Kindred the Family Soul, Ben E. King, James King, Antoine Knight, Saltman Knowles Group, Rayshun LaMarr, Lavahi, Dee Lucas, Timmy Maia, Alex Malheiros (Azymuth), Jimmy Masters, Maysa, Daniel McClain (After 7), Frank McComb, Marion Meadows, Najee, Jimmy Masters, Nathan Mitchell, Milan Nikolic, Julia Nixon, Antonio Parker, Phil Perry, Robert E. Person, Anne Phillips, Benjie Porecki, Lloyd Price, Chuck Redd, Robert Redd, Althea Rene, Lenny Robinson, Gino Rosaria, Ellie Saitoh and The Love Tambourines, Sylver Logan Sharp, Art Sherrod, Dick Smith, John Toomey, Tony Terry, Unit 3 Deep, Gerald Veasley, Chris Walker, Kevin Walker, Kim Waters, Anthony Wellington, Matthew Whitaker, Roz White, Bernhard Wiesinger (Poysdorf All-Stars), Vesta Williams, Larry Wilson, Angela Winbush, Sherry Winston, David Ylvisaker, Frederic Yonnet, et.al.

Lori currently has six independent CDs and released a single - “Too Late (It's My Time)” - in June 2022 . The official music video was released in July 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWyiUaTjflU) Listen to and purchase her music on all streaming sites, LoriJazz.net and LoriJazz.com.

Created by award winning music educator and recording artist Lori Williams, Positive Music for Positive Minds (PMPM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit mentoring workshop and concert performance organization teaching students about the essence of positive music and lyrical content through various art forms with an emphasis on Jazz.

PMPM supports the ideals that the arts enriches and enhances educational and social practices, and encourages students to make positive decisions with an arts lens (specifically making music choices that do not degrade gender/cultures/race/religion; use excessive profanity; or encourage violence). The music and arts instruction and mentoring workshops are geared towards performing arts students (primarily in middle school, high school and college). If you are interested in arts education programming centered on inclusivity, edifying messaging and performance, and cultural exposure, please contact us.

PositiveMusicPM.org

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because...it is an individualized musical form of expression. I was first exposed to jazz...as a student at Hampton University (thanks to Professors Robert Ransom and Effie Gardner). I've never been the same. I met...Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Thelonious Monk Jr., Al Jarreau, Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany, Abbey Lincoln, Take 6, Nneena Freelon, Terri Lyne Carrington, Slide Hampton, Jimmy and Percy Heath, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Oleta Adams...(the list is long...) The best show I ever attended was...it's hard to name one (but I always enjoy listening to Dianne Reeves). The first jazz record I bought was...probably a Dianne Reeves record. I was the Jazz Program Director for my college radio station (WHOV-FM). I had the greats at my fingertips. My advice to new listeners...don't box the artists in. Be a perceptive listener. Please visit my website: www.lorijazz.com Thanks for listening and supporting. Lori