Gary Williams (singer)

Gary Williams
Gary Williams as a broadcaster
Background information
Born (1970-12-15) 15 December 1970
Grimsby, England
Genres Jazz, Easy listening
Occupation(s) Vocalist
Website http://garywilliams.co.uk

Gary Williams (15 December 1970) is a jazz singer and broadcaster described by the London Evening Standard as "the UK's leading standard-bearer for the supercool era".[1] His performances include concerts, cabaret shows and theatre. Williams has recorded eight albums and written 'Cabaret Secrets', a book on stagecraft.

Early life

Gary Williams was born in Grimsby, England. Soon after leaving school Gary started working for his step-father's fire protection business. He eventually created a successful range of fire training films, aimed mainly at the care sector. He sold the business in 2014.

Gary received no formal training as a performer. When he was 19 years old he joined a local community theatre group, Stage One, which he credits as developing his talent.

Music career

Gary Williams started his career in social clubs before performing with the BBC Big Band on BBC Radio Humberside.[2] This led to appearances on BBC Radio 2's Big Band Special, BBC television's Pebble Mill at One with David Jacobs, and Gloria Hunniford's 'Open House' with Burt Bacharach. He played the role of Frank Sinatra for the West End show 'The Rat Pack'[3] for 150 performances at the Haymarket Theatre, the Adelphi Theatre, and subsequent UK and European tours. He performed for HRH The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

In 2006 he performed in BBC1's 'Doctor Who – A Celebration' concert with David Tennant and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with the BBC National Chorus of Wales conducted by Ben Foster.[4][5] In 2007 he recorded two songs for the soundtrack of the Warner Bros' motion picture 'Mrs Ratcliffe's Revolution'.

He regularly performs in cabaret at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, The Crazy Coqs,[6] The Pheasantry,[7] privately for theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh[8] and with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.[2] He is a regular soloist in the concert hall with the CBSO, RSNO, Halle Orchestra, RLPO, BBC Concert Orchestra (for Friday Night Is Music Night[9]), Lahti Symphony Orchestra,[10][11] Northern Sinfonia, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival[12] and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.[13]

His most popular show is the fully interactive 'Sinatra Jukebox' where, "instead of an hour of songs and anecdote, halfway through members of the audience were invited to fill in request forms".[14] Reviewing the show Cabaret Scenes said, "I can think of no other singer to better pay homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes on his 100th birthday."[15] In 2014 he performed on BBC Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra for 'David Jacobs – A Celebration' alongside Michael Ball, Joe Stilgoe, Liz Robertson and Marti Webb.[16] In 2015 he made his debut at Bestival.[17] Gary sings in six different languages and is a regular headliner on luxury cruise liners.

Gary's Christmas show 'A Swingin' Christmas' was given a five star review by the London Evening Standard[18] and described as “The jolliest sleigh-ride in town!”. The same show was given four stars by The Times,[19] which on the same night gave Michael Bublé's show at the O2 three stars.[20]

Recording career

In 2004 he recorded 'Alone Together' with the John Wilson Orchestra[21] at Abbey Road Studios. He returned to the studios for 'In the Lounge with Gary Williams' and 'Swingin' on Broadway', both recorded with his own band. Highlights of these three albums featured on 'Gary Williams – The Best of Abbey Road', released in 2010. Also in 2010 he released 'Gary Williams Meets Frank Sinatra', recorded with Chris Dean and his orchestra, which was awarded Jazz FM's album of the week. In 2011 he released 'Let There Be Love – A Celebration of Nat King Cole with the James Pearson Trio'. Recorded live in 2003, it lay forgotten about until rediscovered late 2010.[22] 'Gary Williams Live in Brazil' was released in 2013. His latest album is 'Big Band Wonderland', funded in part after a successful Kickstarter appeal.[23]

Discography

Broadcaster

Gary hosts the weekly podcast 'In Conversation Radio',[24] which is described as Desert Island Discs, only more fun. He had a weekly contributor slot on BBC Radio Humberside and has contributed to BBC Radio 4's Excess Baggage[25] and its consumer program You and Yours. Other broadcasting work includes: a two hour special for the centenary of Frank Sinatra for BBC Radio Humberside (writer and presenter),[26] a contributor for Don Black's Cabaret Nights on BBC Radio 2[27] and a one hour special on The Art of the Crooner for BBC Radio 2's 50's pop-up (writer and presenter).[28]

Cabaret Secrets

As the author of 'Cabaret Secrets: How to create your own show, travel the world and get paid to do what you love’, Gary has literally written the book on stagecraft. It has been featured in Time Out London,[29] described as "an ideal vade mecum for anybody who wants to succeed in cabaret"[30] and "indispensable" by Jonathan Baz,[31] who says of Gary, "his familiarity with the Great Song Books (not just American) is unquestioned." The book is complimented by the Cabaret Secrets Podcast where established cabaret artistes like Steve Ross and Michael Feinstein share the secrets of their success.

He has written how-to articles for The Stage,[32] The Voice Council,[33][34] Excess All Areas,[35] spoken as a panelist on for the London Cabaret Convention[36] and contributed to the BBC Radio 2's cabaret special hosted by Don Black.

Charity work

In 2002 Gary received the Outstanding Support Award from children’s charity When You Wish Upon A Star and soon after was given the RNLI’s Bronze Award for 10 years of service. In 2008 he was invited to a reception by the Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown at 10 Downing Street[37] in acknowledgement of his work for The Caron Keating Foundation, which he still actively supports. In 2010 he performed a benefit concert for Grimsby's 'Big Red Heart Appeal'.[38]

References

  1. ↑ Ben Walters (18 December 2013). "Christmas cabaret in London – Theatre – Going Out – London Evening Standard". London Evening Standard.
  2. 1 2 "Classics in the Park will swing to globe-trotting crooner's selection of Sinatra"
  3. ↑ "The boys are back in town". Yorkshire Post. 2 June 2004.
  4. ↑ Archived 20 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ "Lorna Luft and Gary Williams to Play the Crazy Coqs, Dec 2013". BroadwayWorld. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "New London Cabaret Intiatives [sic] Launch at Wilton's Music Hall and The Pheasantry". Playbill. 15 June 2010.
  8. ↑ This is Grimsby (11 May 2009). "Gary Williams' birthday gig". Grimsby Telegraph.
  9. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 – Friday Night is Music Night, 16/11/2007". BBC. 16 November 2007.
  10. ↑ "Hollywood Rhapsody: Sinfonia Lahti, John Wilson, Gary Williams". Meteli. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  11. ↑ "My Way - Sinatra Encore: Sinfonia Lahti, John Wilson, Gary Williams". Meteli. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  12. ↑ Log in (13 June 2007). "Spoilt for choice – sounds and visuals galore in SA | ArtsHub Australia". Artshub.com.au.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ "Gary Williams presents a Sinatra Jukebox". Musical Theatre Review. 20 April 2013.
  15. ↑ Helen Theophanous (11 May 2015). "Gary Williams & Harry the Piano: Happy Birthday Mr. Sinatra". Cabaret Scenes. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 – David Jacobs: A Celebration". BBC. 9 February 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Gary Williams and the Sinatra Jukebox". Bestival. 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  18. ↑ Jane Cornwell (18 December 2014). "Gary Williams: A Swinging Christmas, Crazy Coqs - music review". Evening Standard. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  19. ↑ Clive Davis (18 December 2014). "Gary Williams at Crazy Coqs, W1". The Times. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "Michael Buble or Grimsby and Immingham's singing sensation Gary Williams – who is the best? The Times says Gary!". Grimsby Telegraph. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  21. ↑ Mark Shenton (28 July 2008). "John Wilson Orchestra Offers That's Entertainment, Celebration of MGM Musicals". Playbill. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 – Russell Davies, 06/03/2011". BBC. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Gary Williams and Big Band Wonderland". 26 February 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  24. ↑ In Conversation Radio
  25. ↑ "Radio 4 – Excess Baggage". BBC.
  26. ↑ "Radio Humberside - Sinatra, Mr Hero". BBC.
  27. ↑ "Radio 2 - Don Black's Cabaret Nights". BBC.
  28. ↑ "Radio 2 - 50s Pop Up". BBC.
  29. ↑ Walters, Ben (18 June 2013). "Five reasons to love cruise-ship cabaret". Time Out. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "Cabaret Secrets by Gary Williams [Book Review]". Classicalsource.com. August 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  31. ↑ Baz, Jonathan (8 July 2013). "Book Review : Cabaret Secrets by Gary Williams". Jonathanbaz.com. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  32. ↑ Matthew Hemley (9 December 2010). "Sky1 to launch cruise ship-based talent show : News". The Stage. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  33. ↑ "How to Chat to Your Audience without Sounding Fake". VoiceCouncil. 21 September 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  34. ↑ "How to Get Singing Work on Cruise Ships". VoiceCouncil. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  35. ↑ "Seven Silly Questions... for Gary Williams". Paul L Martin. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  36. ↑ Fiona-Jane Weston. "2014 Cabaret Convention at The Proud Archivist". Excess All Areas. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  37. ↑ This is Grimsby (13 November 2008). "Crooner's invite to Number 10". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  38. ↑ This is Grimsby (29 November 2010). "Singing sensation Gary Williams gets Christmas off to a swinging start". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
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