08/30/17 Darryl Williams – Bassist, Composer, Artist

A naturally gifted musician, San Diego born bassist Darryl Williams began playing bass at the young age of 13. Within two years he was playing at local clubs and events around the San Diego area, which includes opening up for smash RnB group Lakeside. He also played with Gospel Legend Shirley Caesar at age 16. After graduating from high school, Williams did a four-month tour of Japan with other young talented musicians, which he states as being “unforgettable”. Upon returning to the States, that same band did a three-month tour opening for soul legend Al Green. After that tour, Darryl enrolled in the Jazz Program at San Diego State University and studied with San Diego legends Gunner Biggs and Rick Helzer. With a hunger to grow musically, he sought out other teachers as well which includes former Miles Davis and John Coltrane bassist Marshall Hawkins, Sarah Vaughn bassist Bob Magnusson, great San Diego bassist Cecil Mcbee Jr. and San Diego sax icon Hollis Gentry III. By age 21, Williams was a regular on the San Diego music scene performing regularly with artist like Hollis Gentry, Evan Marks and Patrick Yandall to name a few. In 1997, Williams moved to Las Vegas and performed regularly at all the prestigious Hotels and Casinos working with headliners and recording artist. One of the artist Williams performed regularly with was Las Vegas Hall Fame inductee Clint Holmes. In 1999, Williams was hired as Musical Director for The International House Of Blues Foundation and continued working with several artist and was involved several recording projects. From 2001 to 2003 he was one of the in house bassists at the world renowned Blue Note Jazz Club in which performed with sax legend Chico Freeman, RnB legend Angela Bofil and was the co-host of the Sunday Night Blue Note Jam Session. Williams was also the second call bassist for Chaka Khan from 2003-2004, which included several performances across the States. From 2003 to 2007 Williams worked with several recording artist in Las Vegas such as Ronnie Foster, Ghalib Ghallab, Tevin Campbell, Clint Holmes, Keith Washington, Skip Martin, Howard Hewitt and many more. In 2008 Williams relocated to California. Upon relocating, he released his first solo CD, “That Was Then” and received high praises from several top smooth jazz writers and dj’s. In a Jazz Times Magazine article dated October 2008, noted jazz writer Brian Soergel says, “ Is there room for another smooth jazz bassist to join the ranks of Wayman Tisdale, Brian Bromberg, Michael Manson and Gerald Veasley? In the case of Darryl Williams the answer is an enthusiastic yes”! Two songs from Williams debut effort were featured on the Weather Channel and can be heard today on Sirius XM radio, Music Choice and international and national radio stations alike. From 2008 to current, Williams has performed or toured with several of the top Contemporary Jazz Artist of today. Some notable names include Euge Groove, Michael Lington, Richard Elliot, Mindi Abair, Jeff Lorber, Peter White, Brenda Russell, Jeff Golub, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn, Jessy J, Everette Harp, Jeff Kashiwa, Eric Darius, “Queen Of Disco” Gloria Gaynor and many more. Williams continues to record today with several artists and can be heard on Jonathan Fritzen’s upcoming release “Magical” as well as working on his second release, which he intends to release in January 2013. He is also the current touring bassist for the “White Hot Summer Groove Tour” which features artists Peter White and Euge Groove as well as Euge Groove’s regular touring bassist.
https://www.darrylwilliamsmusic.com/