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“Those who were there, including mimosa-drinking revelers
rising from the boats, anchored by the festival grounds,
were treated to a caffeinated jolt awake by the Michael
Williams Band, a rocking Seattle blues quartet rooted in
the music of Jimi Hendrix”. Kyle O’Brien – The Oregonian.
Music Industry
critics and guitar enthusiasts alike often discuss, quite
passionately, who could be the Next Great Blues Guitarist.
Michael Williams is quickly gaining their recognition as
“one to watch”. Blending a mastery of traditional blues,
soulful songwriting, dynamic voice, blistering licks, and
intense performance energy, Michael is bridging the
fan-gap between the traditional blues lovers and his
younger, rock ‘n roll-based audience.
The band
celebrated the 2011 release of their CD, FIRE RED,
with a much anticipated summer tour, opening for musical
greats Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Eric Johnson, & Robert Cray.
The tour was so successful that William’s and company will
continue to perform with Buddy Guy throughout the fall.
Williams is a
one of the few guitarists of the new generation who draws
his inspiration from an actual bloodline of Blues
musicians. As a young boy, Michael grew up watching the
performances of his father, Larry “Junior Medlow”
Williams, considered a legend in the Texas Blues circuit
for his performances throughout the 80‘s and 90’s. Michael
embodies this past, blending it masterfully with his own
soulful voice, commanding stage presence, and passionate
guitar play. In early 2001, Michael moved to Seattle and
soon formed the Michael Williams Band. He recorded and
released his first full album in 2007. King of the Dead
is a hard-hitting, Texas-blues album full of signature
licks and rich tones in electric, slide and acoustic
guitar.
Recording with
Williams on FIRE RED as well as performing live on
stage is a powerful trio of very accomplished musicians,
all well recognized in their own right. They are Ryan Shea
Smith on keyboard, Gerald “Tugboat” Turner II on bass, and
Darin Watkins on drums. It is by no coincidence that they
all are products of the Great Seattle Music Scene, which
arguably could be one of the most influential cities for
rock, jazz, R&B, and soul music by bringing us such
talents as Jimi Hendrix and Quincy Jones. Each member of
the supporting band brings a diverse background of
influences to compliment Michael: Ryan Shea Smith,
keyboards, brings over 30 years of classical, jazz,
gospel, blues and R&B influences to the keys and
background vocals. In addition, Ryan is an integral part
of the creative process and songwriting team, and was a
John Lennon Songwriting Award winner for his critically
acclaimed jazz album “Stay Awhile”. Gerald “Tugboat”
Turner is a very talented live and professional studio
bassist/ background vocalist who brings with him funk,
soul, blues, Motown, and gospel influences. Darin adds
showmanship to his deftly smooth, yet hard-hitting style
to the drums that is rooted in classic rock n’ roll, jazz
and the blues.
The album was
produced by the multi Grammy-award winning producer and
engineer, Eddie Kramer, who is renowned for his lifelong
work with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, KISS, The Rolling
Stones, and Buddy Guy, as well as countless other
Grammy-award winning blues and music legends. Eddie was
also one of the founders of Electric Lady Studios in NY.
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