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Declined by KylieTastic 27 days ago. Last edited by KylieTastic 27 days ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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Bruce Williams

Bruce Kevin Williams (Bruce Williams, born June 11, 1969), is an alto and soprano saxophonist, composer and educator born in Washington D.C. at the Columbia Hospital for Women and grew up in the Adams Morgan Neighborhood, located in Northwest D.C, and in Silver-spring, Maryland.

Upbringing

While still very young, Bruce was surrounded by a family-like community and lived with his mother, Kathleen Poindexter-Williams, and had to see his father, Kenneth Lee Ferrell, during the weekends in Southeast D.C. due to their separation at the time. He would also visit his three older brothers Michael, Greg, and Anthony Ferrell during the weekends. Williams always had a rich-community upbringing, and help of neighbors on the block and close family. Being born not long after the Dr. King riots, Bruce caught some of the dilapidated and burned down buildings, which weren’t rebuilt until years later during the 70s and 80s.

Early Musical Training

Besides having a family that would mostly sing, his youngest older brother, Anthony Ferrell plays tenor saxophone and his Aunt on his father’s side, Anna Mae, was the first person to show Bruce how to play the piano. Williams would also start his journey as an active music listener from his older brother Michael, who had an immense record collection, and exposed him to R&B, Funk, Ramsey Lewis, Jimmy McGriff and Sergio Mendez for the first time. Rhythm, music and dancing were always around the house and all these elements would shape his later musical path.

In the fourth grade at Rock Creek Forest Elementary, just across the D.C. line in near by Silver Spring Maryland, a young Williams was offered to start off his woodwind journey with the clarinet, but had to decline due to his strong interest towards the saxophone. Several music appreciation and general music classes intensified his interest in music. Bruce picked up the saxophone while at Westland Middle School in seventh grade.

His first saxophone instructor was band director, Mr. Black, who introduced him to the fundamentals of the instrument as well as understanding Williams’ personal needs as a human being, which really helped on his development later on.

Bruce attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and his band director was David Levin. Mr. Levin was instrumental in growing Bruce’s musicianship and ensemble playing.

Williams only took a few private lessons before he got into college. These lessons were from Larry Mullins and Howard Burns. Mr. Burns met Bruce as a student in the MCPS All-County Jazz Band, under the direction of Ron Kearns. Mr. Burns was the saxophonist that introduced Williams to the music of Charlie Parker.

College Years

Bruce attended the University of the District of Columbia, under the direction of Calvin Jones.

Professor Jones treated Bruce like a son and often pushed and encouraged him musically. He is one of the most important people in Bruce's life. Upon auditioning for Calvin Jones, Bruce was offered a full-scholarship to attend the University of the District of Columbia. At UDC, Bruce studied music theory with Judith Korey and private saxophone instruction from Dr. Leroy Barton Jr. Bruce also took private improvisation lessons with fabled trumpeter Webster Young.

Mr. Young had a long relationship with Bruce’s hero, Jackie McLean.

After a couple years and some family tragedies, Bruce decided to move from D.C. to New Jersey and transfer to William Paterson College. There he studied with Rufus Reid, Harold Mabern, Norman Simmons, Andy Fusco, Steve Wilson, Joe Lovano, Joe Ford, William Shadle, and Gary Smulyan.

Career & Mentors

Frank Foster

Bruce met the great Frank Foster, while playing with the vocalist Tes Marsalis. He later became Foster's lead alto player, position that was formerly held by his teacher Leroy Barton Jr.

Foster quickly hired Williams as his lead alto player from 1996 until 2011, when Foster passed away. With Mr. Foster’s Loud Minority Big Band, Bruce toured the world playing Festivals and several Jazz Cruises. “Fos” became a musical father figure to Williams and would teach him life-lasting lessons and direction.

Jackie McLean

Bruce and a couple of his friends took advantage of a spring break while attending UDC and went to Hartford, CT to visit Jazz alto saxophone master, Jackie McLean. After successfully auditioning at McLean’s house, Bruce decided not to go the Hart School and formally study with J. Mack because of family issues. He remained in close contact with Jackie, who would consider Bruce one of his kids and a “student abroad”. McLean would show up to Bruce’s gigs in Hartford and vice versa, creating not only a good relationship between the two of them but also an empty room for informal lessons on the spot.

Stanley Cowell

One of the most meaningful relationships Williams had was with pianist/composer Stanley Cowell. He met Cowell at 19 and started playing professionally together at age 22. They first met at UDC when master pianist was doing a masterclass on Art Tatum. Later on, Stanley came to Bruce’s ensemble at WPC and after doing a school performance, Bruce talked to him about working with Mr. Cowell. They recorded three albums of Cowell’s together and have played numerous times around the globe. Mr. Cowell and his wife Sylvia were a constant source of inspiration, love and mentorship to Bruce.

Cecil Brooks III

Cecil Brooks III has been one of Bruce’s most important mentors, specially since he was the one who started his recording career as a leader, encouraging a young Williams to put a band together and hit the recording studio doing his own material. Cecil and Bruce have shared many memories performing, touring and in the recording studio. You can listen to some of their work together on Brooks’ record “For Those Who Love To Groove” (Savant Records, 1999).

Teaching

Bruce has always been happy to share and give back and has been giving private lessons to hard-working students since age 16. Williams has taught privately in the D.C., New York and New Jersey areas, taught for NJPAC Jazz for Teens, Jazz House Kids, Princeton University, Stevens School in Hoboken, Bloomfield College, and Bard College. He currently teaches at The Juilliard School and Montclair State University.

Notable Former Students

Some of his former notable students are Lakecia Benjamin, Irwin Hall, Jason Marshall, Tia Fuller, Camille Thurman, Anthony Nelson, Marcus Miller, Julius Tolentino, Ian Munoz, Abdias Armenteros, Birsa Chatterjee, Alex De Lazzari, Rodrigo Romero, Sarah Hanahan, Chris Louis, Julian Lee and Immanuel Wilkins to name a few.

Personal Life

While still at UDC, Bruce met Howard University student Leonora Rush in 1989. Leonora had a big poster of Billie Holiday in her room and has always been really into Jazz, which quickly captivated a 20-year-old Williams. After dating each other for 6 years, they got married at City Hall in New York City in 1996. They have two children, Elijah and Sage. The Williams family resides in Montclair, New Jersey.

Big Solid

While playing with Roy Hargrove Quintet, bassist Gerald Canon bumped into Bruce, to which Canon said “You Big Solid mfr!”. After that, his nickname became Big Solid.