Charles D. Williams, is a native of Kansas City, Kansas. Mr.Williams has played piano for over 40 years. As a trombonist, he studied under Mr. Leon Brady at Sumner High School and supplemented this training with musical studies under the tutelage of the late Mr.Reginald Buckner. Mr.Williams was a member of the award-winning Sumner Jazz Band that also attended the Paris International Jazz festival in Paris France in 1972, and was auspiciously judged to be “the best High School Band in the World. Mr. Williams also had the pleasure of participating in the Turner House Jazz series in the 70’s – having opportunity to play with such great jazz artist as: Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Roy Ayers, Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Frank Wess, Clark Terry, Ernie Wilkins, Rich Matteson, and many more.
Today, Mr. Williams performs as the pianist for The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra (Clint Ashlock, director). The orchestra performed in Hanover, Germany (May 2018) at the Hanover Jazz Festival, and also in Szczecin, Poland at several major jazz events. This orchestra has backed many artist such as, The New Your Voices, Wycliffe Gordon, Ernie Andrews, Houston Person, Harold Jones, The Four Freshmen, Randy Brecker, Bobby Watson, Deborah Brown, Benny Golson, and many more.
Mr. Williams performs regularly in the greater Kansas City area. He is a regular at Eddie V’s on the plaza in Kansas City, MO. Mr Williams also performs at many local jazz venues and has been the band for the past few years to play for KC Hospice’s fund raiser “KC Live,” on the KC Power & Light stage. Also Mr. Williams has traveled and played music in ,Fez, Morocco, Havana, Cuba, several cities in Brazil, and many other cities locally and nationally.
As a Gospel Artist and Minister of Music for several local churches in the greater Kansas City area, his work over the years included serving as Musical Director for the gospel group, “Blessed Through Christ” under the leadership of Mr. Randall Fears. This group had an opportunity to appear on The Bobby Jones Gospel Hour in 2008 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In 2003 at the Women of Worship GMWA Choir of Tampa, Florida, Mr. Williams was chosen to feature one of his original composition works titled: “JESUS, WE GIVE YOU THE PRAISE” at The 36th Annual National Convention of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc.
In the supplemental areas of music education, community service and artistic outreach, Mr. Williams has established a Keyboard Academy where he teaches students to play keyboard during various weekly music instruction programs. He also produces, makes custom soundtracks, work with vocalist, and mentors young musicians. Mr. Williams just released his third CD entitled “Flavors Of Jazz” in February of 2018. Charles is a member of the board of directors for the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City. Mr. Williams is also Instructor for the American Jazz Museum Jazz Academy teaching Advanced Jazz Piano and Jazz Combo classes.
n the supplemental areas of music education, community service and artistic outreach, Mr. Williams has established a Keyboard Academy where he teaches students to play keyboard during various weekly music instruction programs. He also produces, makes custom soundtracks, work with vocalist, and mentors young musicians. Mr. Williams just released his third CD entitled “Flavors Of Jazz” in February of 2018
