Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

2/09/09
Story by Peggy Graham

Charles Williams Quartet Plays at JCCC

Charles Williams

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Charles Williams Quartet, led by the gifted pianist, composer, arranger and trombonist Charles Williams, performs at noon Tuesday, March 10, in the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center, Johnson County Community College, as part of the free Jazz Series. Playing with Williams on piano will be Will Matthews, guitar; Tyrone Clark, bass; and Mike Warren, drums.

Williams, a native of Kansas City, Kan., has played piano for more than 40 years. As a pianist, he has accompanied many legendary artists, such as Sonny Kenner, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Queen Bey, Angela Hagenbach, Sharon Thompson, The McFadden Brothers, Bobby Watson and many more. He toured in Brazil in 1998, where he accompanied jazz singer Queen Bey and the internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Arthur Blythe.

As a trombonist, Williams had the pleasure of participating in the Turner House Jazz series in the 1970s, having the opportunity to play with such great jazz artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Roy Ayers, Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Frank Wess, Clark Terry, Ernie Wilkins, Rich Matteson and many more.  As a gospel artist and minister of music, Williams has worked for several local churches.

Today, Williams performs with his own ensembles while also serving as the pianist for the Louis Neal Orchestra and The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and as keyboardist with renowned singer Ida McBeth.

A positive role model in the music industry, Williams is the founder and director of the CD Keyboard Academy, which teaches students to play effectively and professionally.

The Jazz Series continues at noon Tuesday in the Recital Hall unless otherwise noted:

The series is cosponsored by the JCCC music departments, Community Services and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts. Seating is available first-come, first-served.

For information, call 913-469-8500, ext. 3605.