Lori Williams (vocalist)
| Lori Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bethesda, Md. |
| 🏳️ Nationality | African-American |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Hampton University |
| 💼 Occupation | |
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Lori Williams is an American-born vocalist and Music Educator with six solo albums recorded.
Her 2021 release is called "A New Book". Some of her background and lead vocalist lead and recording credits include The Blackbyrds, Sherry Winston, Maysa, Lloyd Price, Marion Meadows, Kim Waters, Christian Havel, Allyn Johnson and Divine Order, the Jazz duo Saltman/Knowles, and Najee. (See expansive list on LoriJazz.com)
Biography[edit]
Lori Anne Williams (born January 22, 1967) is an American Jazz Vocalist from Washington, DC. She is the mother of two children, Lauren V. Highsmith and Yusef K. Chisholm. She is the daughter of the late Robert Williams (1926-2018) retired US Navy/US Department of State, and Myrtle W. Williams (1936-2003), retired Washington, DC Public Schools teacher. Lori Williams currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Education and Sorority Association[edit]
In 1984, Lori Williams attended Hampton University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media Communications in 1988. She is a member of Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor, and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society.
At Hampton University, Lori pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Gamma Iota Chapter) in 1986.
After graduating from Hampton, Lori attended Trinity College and The University of the District of Columbia, focusing on Music Education.
Timeline[edit]
As a Duke Ellington School of the Arts student, Lori began her search for her own musical voice. In 2010, she released her debut CD, Healing Within. In 2012, she released her sophomore project, Eclipse of the Soul. Her third disc was released in 2016 entitled, Behind The Smiles.
At Hampton University, Lori was the Jazz Program Director for the college radio station, WHOV-FM (at Hampton University) during her tenure there and often performed as a Vocalist in the Tidewater, Va. area for events. It was at Hampton University where she discovered her passion for vocal jazz under the direction of Professors Dr. Effie Gardner and Robert Ransom. She also entered the Budweiser Showdown (winning 2nd place), and appeared on 'Showtime At The Apollo' during her tenure at Hampton University.
Lori relocated to Japan from 1991-1995. It was there where she had the opportunity to record background vocals for commercial and artist sessions. She also directed the Sagamihara Gospel Choir and performed with Eli Saitoh and The Love Tambourines in 1992.
Since 1995, she has been teaching in the DC Public Schools. In 2004, she became the Director of Vocal Music at Woodrow Wilson High School, where she was also the former Music Department Chairperson. Additionally, she teaches private vocal instruction, performs and records for various recording sessions as a solo artist and for other recording artists. Additionally, Lori has had the honor of performing with many American artists (studio session and live performance). Since her 1995 return, she has recorded and performed with The Blackbyrds, Sherry Winston (For Your Love disc), Maysa, Lloyd Price, Marion Meadows, Kim Waters, Streewize, Allyn Johnson and Divine Order, the Jazz duo Saltman/Knowles, and many others. She has also performed in various musical theater productions in the Washington, DC area and Atlanta, GA.
Lori continues to tour as a lead or background vocalist for many international musicians and vocalists such as David Archuleta, Regina Belle, Eric Benet, Keter Betts, Norman Brown, Tom Browne, Peabo Bryson, Jerry Butler, T.C. Carson, Gene Chandler, Will Downing, David Dyson, Nathan East, James Genus, Savion Glover, Slide Hampton, Walter Hawkins, Nathan Heathman, William Hubbard, Al Johnson (The Unifics), Allyn Johnson and Divine Order, Kindred The Family Soul, Ben E. King, Debbie Kirkland, Ledisi, Marcus Johnson, Dee Lucas, Marion Meadows, Maysa, Najee, Julia Nixon, Lloyd Price, Ellie Saitoh and The Love Tambourines, Saltman/Knowles Group, Sylver Logan Sharp (Chic), The Sherelles, Gary Taylor, Tony Terry, Bobby Vee and The Vees, Andre Ward, Kim Waters, Allyson Williams, Vanessa R. Williams, Vesta Williams, Sherry Winston, and Terri Lynne Carrington.
Since 2010, she has traveled annually to Austria as a clinician, and performs in jazz festivals there. In 2018, she was a performer at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. She participates annually in the Poysdorf Jazz and Wine Festival where she also conducts a vocal workshop.
Choir Performance and Theater Credits[edit]
Lori was the former Director of Programs for the Best Friends Foundation. She has an extensive background in the performing arts. She has directed several choirs including the National Diamond Girls Jazz Choir (performing for the Inauguration Ceremony for President George Bush); the Sagamihara Christian Fellowship Gospel Choir in Sagamihara, Japan; the Fort Foote Baptist Church Gospel Choir in Fort Washington, Maryland; Carmody Hills Baptist Church Children's Choir in Capitol Heights, Maryland; and the Bethlehem Baptist Church Gospel Choir in Washington, DC.
Lori Williams performed in Arts United of Washington's live jazz theatrical and dance presentations of Meet Me at the Cafe and The Scenic Route at the Joy of Motion Dance Center in the Jack Guidone Theatre, Washington, DC. She also performed under director Thomas W. Jones' productions of The All Night Strut, Cool Papa’s Party (choreographed by Maurice Hines), “Ladies Swing The Blues: A Jazz Fable” (in which Lori (who played Ella Fitzgerald) was nominated for a 2014 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical), "Bessie's Blues' and "Shake Loose: A Musical Night of Blues, Moods & Icons" at MetroStage Theatre in Alexandria, Virginia. She co-starred in Isn’t It Romantic (written and directed by David Hunter Koch) with Jimi Ray Malary at MetroStage . Additionally, Lori played the role of 'Mary' in the play Bending Towards the Light – A Jazz Nativity at the War Memorial Theater in Trenton, NJ. The production was written and conducted by Anne Phillips, and produced by the late Bob Kindred.
Lori was also honored at the Mayor's Arts Awards, held at the John F. Kennedy Center. This award was given on behalf of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Public Schools, and the DC Arts. The National Association for Female Executives, and the Kappa Tau Alpha.
Accolades[edit]
Lori has received numerous awards recognizing her skills as a performer and educator. Her most notable recognition is a letter from Vice President Joseph Biden acknowledging her stellar performance at the 2013 Frederick Douglass Statue Dedication Ceremony at the US Capital. She has also received a Senate Citation from The Maryland General Assembly on behalf of Maryland State Senator C. Anthony Muse for her contributions and commitment to the arts as a jazz vocalist, instructor and educator. Her biography appears in the 2005 Premier Edition of Great Women of the 21st Century for her professional dedication and commitment to communities.
Works[edit]
- (2000) Outstanding Music Teacher in the October issue of Teaching Music magazine
- (2005-2006) National Honor Roll's Outstanding American Teacher
- (2007) Superintendent's Arts Teacher of the Year Award, Washington, DC Public School System
- (2010) Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year
Studio Albums[edit]
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | A New Book | LoriJazz |
| 2019 | Full Circle | LoriJazz |
| 2018 | Out of The Box | LoriJazz |
| 2016 | Behind the Smiles | LoriJazz |
| 2012 | Eclipse of the Soul | LoriJazz |
| 2010 | Healing Within | LoriJazz |
Affiliations (Past and Current)[edit]
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Prince Georges County Alumnae Chapter, Maryland) - Member
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) - Writing/Publishing Member
The National Association for Female Executives - Member
Kappa Tau Alpha - Member
International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) - Former Treasurer for Washington, D.C. Unit.
External links[edit]
AllMusic Discography (As Artist)
AllMusic Discography (As Vocal Contributor)
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