Kimo Williams - Faculty Advisor for Music Business
After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1976 with a BA in composition, Kimo spent a year on the Berklee faculty and then earned his Masters in Management from Webster University in 1983.
In 1991 he released his first album War Stories on his label Little Beck Music. This CD received critical acclaim from national magazines and newspapers mostly emphasizing Kimo's arranging and composing abilities. He received 4 1/2 (out of 5) stars from Downbeat magazine. This album featured his original compositions performed by his thirty-member Kimotion ensemble, which included Michael Stern, Vinnie Colauita, Victor Bailey, and others. War Stories is a Symphonic- jazz-rock big-band album, and along with some of his classical works, is considered a part of his Vietnam catharsis.
He released his second album Tracking in November 2001, again receiving rave reviews. This CD featured Kimo's friend actor/musician Gary Sinise (star of CSI New York) who also was a co-producer. It also included drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (formerly with Sting) and Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker.
Kimo has written and premiered three symphonies. In November 1991, Kimos' full orchestra score, Symphony For The Sons of Nam was one of three scores selected for a reading session in a national search for African-American composers by the Savannah and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. Since then, this work has been performed extensively all over the world to included performances by the Atlanta Symphony. The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chicago Sinfonietta, Indianapolis Symphony The Detroit Symphony and many more. Also performed in St Petersburg Russia, Czechoslovakia and Vietnam. The work was also regularly programmed on NPR’s “Performance Today” from 1990 to 1997.
In 1999, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra recognized Kimo for his contribution to American Music with his selection as their Composer of Year.
Kimo has written four string quartets, Two Gether, Quartet For The Sons of Nam, New Beginnings, Quiet Shadows . Quiet Shadows was premiered August 26th at the opening of the Vietnam National Art Gallery in Chicago where Mayor Daley commented, “Thank you for this is beautiful music”.
In 1997 Kimo wrote the music for the Steppenwolf Theatre production A Streetcar Named Desire and was musical director for the Goodman Theatre production Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
His new score Buffalo Soldiers, a commission by The West Point Academy to celebrate their 2002 Bicentennial, was premiered February 1999 at West Point. This score, along with a narratives based on speeches by Abraham Lincoln and General Colin Powell, honors the Buffalo Soldier of the 1800’s.
Kimo is a 2007 Fulbright Specialist and was selected as a 20076 “Chicagoan of The Year” by Chicago Magazine.
As a composer Kimo uses music to speak from the deepest part of his soul. His philosophy is Music is the conduit to the hearts of people.
Kimo lives in Chicago with his wife, composer /musician Carol Williams and their daughter Rebecca.
Educator
Courses Taught:
The Art and Business of Recording
Producing Recorded Music I: Fundamentals
Producing Recorded Music II: Applied Techniques
Producing Recorded Music III: Advanced Concepts
Producing Recorded Music IV: Skill Development
Experience
- BM, Berklee College of Music
- MA, Webster University
- Internationally recognized Composer
- Record Company owner and Producer, Little Beck Music
- Publisher, One Omik Music BMI
- Founder/Director Kimotion Symphonic Big Band Fusion Ensemble
- Co-Founder/ Guitarist/Music Director/Tour Manager - Lt. Dan Band with Gary Sinise
Contact
Office: (312) 369-7664
Fax: (312) 369-8063
Email: kwilliams@colum.edu