Stephen Williams

Steve Williams, a native of Pensacola, Fla. joined Navy Band Commodores in March 1994. The unit’s lead saxophonist since 1997, he was the music director from 2003 until 2009. He has composed/arranged over 40 compositions for the group and produced its recently released CD, “Directions.”   Chief Williams has appeared on several albums including the Grammy winning “Caribbean Jazz Project/ Afro-Bop Alliance Big Band featuring Dave Samuels.” He played lead alto sax with The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, toured with The Glenn Miller Orchestra and was a semi-finalist in the 1988 Hennessey Cognac Jazz Search. He has performed with Joe Williams, Linda Carter, The Temptations, Rita Moreno, Jim Neighbors, Linda Lavin, Hal Linden, Eddie Fisher, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Ice Capades, The Mills Brothers, Floyd Cramer, Al Hirt, Boots Randolph, Wayne Newton, Maureen McGovern, and many others. He has also performed with The Fort Worth, Richmond, and Baltimore Symphonies as well. Prior to the Navy Band, Chief Williams was a bandmaster and sideman with Crystal, Princess, Norwegian Caribbean, Premier, and American Hawaii Cruise Lines.

Gear

Selmer Mark VI, 1967 vintage

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