Detroit
bred Brandon Williams’ life has always included music in some capacity. First
as a listener, then as a musician, and ultimately, as a producer. He is a
musical architect that is quickly making his name and stake as a front-runner
in the music industry with the release of his 2014 debut album entitled XII featuring
Robert Glasper, Jean Baylor (formerly of Zhane’), Frank McComb, Nicholas
Payton, Choklate, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more.
On the music scene since he was 12, his career is quite impressive. A direct protégé of Grammy and Billboard super producer Michael J. Powell (Anita Baker), he is a powerhouse of musical knowledge and abilities, receiving request to perform, engineer, MD, arrange and produce around the clock. Known as one of the premiere drummers on Detroit’s live music scene, he is also known for being one of the “go-to music guys” in general because of his talent to play numerous instruments and his versatile repertoire. In 2009, he collaborated with Vickie Winans on “How I Got Over”. The album earned him 9 Stellar Awards nominations (winning one), a Grammy Award nomination, and a NAACP Image Award. As a producer he has lent his hand to such artists as; Pharoahe Monch, Bobby Creekwater, Jadakiss, Jazmine Sullivan, Lin Rountree, Jay Electronica, Jeymes Samuels, and Ryan Leslie. His production work was also featured in the 2011 AT&T “Swag/FLY ERRR” TV commercial and in the 2015 “Honda Fit” TV commercial featuring ?uestlove of the Roots.
On the music scene since he was 12, his career is quite impressive. A direct protégé of Grammy and Billboard super producer Michael J. Powell (Anita Baker), he is a powerhouse of musical knowledge and abilities, receiving request to perform, engineer, MD, arrange and produce around the clock. Known as one of the premiere drummers on Detroit’s live music scene, he is also known for being one of the “go-to music guys” in general because of his talent to play numerous instruments and his versatile repertoire. In 2009, he collaborated with Vickie Winans on “How I Got Over”. The album earned him 9 Stellar Awards nominations (winning one), a Grammy Award nomination, and a NAACP Image Award. As a producer he has lent his hand to such artists as; Pharoahe Monch, Bobby Creekwater, Jadakiss, Jazmine Sullivan, Lin Rountree, Jay Electronica, Jeymes Samuels, and Ryan Leslie. His production work was also featured in the 2011 AT&T “Swag/FLY ERRR” TV commercial and in the 2015 “Honda Fit” TV commercial featuring ?uestlove of the Roots.
At 34 years old, he is a taste and hit-maker with an undeniable track record. As an artist, he has performed with, opened for, and toured alongside some of the industry's finest including; Talib Kweli, Morris Day and The Time, Kevin Toney, Kim Burrell, Jose James, PJ Morton (Maroon 5), Mike Phillips, Derrick Hodge, The Isley Brothers, Johnny O'Neal, George Duke, The Last Poets, Musiq Soulchild, Geno Young, Jaguar Wright, Gene Dunlap, Regina Belle, Millie Scott, Sy Smith, Zo!, Joe Sample, Norman Brown, Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Raheem DeVaughn, Carmen Rodgers, Martha Reeves and Jonathan Butler just to name a few. Performing with national tours, and with his own bands, he’s graced the stages of Detroit's premier venues, and he’s also had national exposure at hot spots such as the legendary Bitter End in NYC, the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, and the House of Blues in Dallas. As a producer, Brandon has worked in studios across the world from New York, to The Caribbean and even South Africa. Because of his plethora of abilities, he has acquired the respect of many legendary artists that he now calls friends including; the late artists George Duke and James 'J. Dilla' Yancey, along with Denaun Porter, George Clinton, Lalah Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Karriem Riggins and a host of others. He’s also recorded with the legendary Stevie Wonder.
Now with XII gaining international acclaim charting #1 on the UK Soul Chart (Feb 2015), along with recent distribution in Japan and Taiwan, you can bet your paycheck that he is much more than your average musician and he will continue to move full steam ahead.
In his own words- "I want people to know I'm a 'real' producer... not just a beatmaker. I'm striving to be among the people that bring good music back to the world. Real good, feel good, life-altering, soul healing music is what I'm about."
ACCOLADES
|
*Grammy Award Nomination - Vickie Winans' "How I Got Over" (2009) *Stellar Award Winner - Vickie Winans' "How I Got Over" (2010) *Featured in the "Who's Who in Black Detroit" (2010) *NAACP Image Award Nomination - Vickie Winans' "How I Got Over" (2010) *Top 5 Winner - Lalah Hathaway Remix Contest for "My Everything" (2012) *Detroit Black Music Award Winner - Entertainer of The Year (2012) |
*Best
Local Band - HOUR Detroit Magazine (2013)
*Detroit Black Music Award Winner - Drummer of The Year (2013) *Best Of 2013 - Detroit Sounds Like This (2013) *Detroit's Best Producer Award Nomination -WGPR 107.5 FM (2013) *Outstanding Jazz Recording Nomination - Detroit Music Awards (2014) |
QUOTES
"B. Williams is one of the best musical minds
working in the country today. A drummer of tremedous power and sensitivity,
Williams is better known in the R&B genre as a producer and conceptualizer
of sound. Not yet 35, Williams has the ability to make his bandmates sound good
everytime out."
~Skip Norris
~Notes from a Jazz Warrior, Thoughts on Jazz and American Culture
“B. Williams is a chameleon of music, able to fluently play any genre as it's second nature to him."
~LaDarrel Johnson
~Skip Norris
~Notes from a Jazz Warrior, Thoughts on Jazz and American Culture
“B. Williams is a chameleon of music, able to fluently play any genre as it's second nature to him."
~LaDarrel Johnson
Website: http://www.bwilliamsmusic.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment