Lori Williams
Lori A. Williams (born January 22, 1967) is an American Jazz Vocalist from Washington, DC. She is the mother of two children (Lauren V. Highsmith and Yusef K. Chisholm). Lori has recorded two CDs (Healing Within – 2010 and Eclipse of the Soul – 2012).
Biographical sketch: Lori Williams continues to reside in the Washington Metropolitan area and teaches vocal music in the DC Public Schools System. She also teaches private vocal instruction, performs and records for various recording sessions as a solo artist and for other recording artists.
Education: Lori Williams attended Hampton University (HU) and received a BA in Mass Media Communications in 1988. She is a member of Kappa Tau Alpha and Alpha Kappa Mu honor societies. At Hampton University, Lori pledged Delta Sigma Theta sorority (Gamma Iota chapter) in 1986. After graduating from HU, Lori attended Trinity College and the University of the District of Columbia focusing on Music Education. Lori has received numerous awards recognizing her skills as a performer and educator. Her most notable recognition is a letter from Vice President Joseph Biden acknowledging her stellar performance at the 2013 Frederick Douglass Statue Dedication Ceremony at the US Capital. She has also received a Senate Citation from The Maryland General Assembly on behalf of Maryland State Senator Anthony Muse for her contributions and commitment to the arts as a jazz vocalist, instructor and educator. Also she received the 2007 Superintendent’s Arts Teacher of the Year and the 2010 Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year.
Career: As a high school student, Lori began her search for her musical style. It was at Hampton University where she discovered her passion for vocal jazz under the direction of Professors Dr. Effie Gardner and Robert Ransom. Lori was the Jazz Program Director for her college radio station, WHOV-FM and often performed in the Tidewater area for events. Lori also entered the Budweiser Showdown (winning 2nd place) and appeared on ‘Showtime At The Apollo’ during her tenure at HU. Lori Williams lived in Japan in the early 90’s. It was there where she had the opportunity to record background vocals for commercial and artist sessions. She also directed the Sagamihara Gospel Choir and performed with Eli Saitoh and The Love Tambourines. Upon returning stateside, Lori has had the honor of performing with many national artists (studio session and live performance). She has recorded with The Blackbyrds, Sherry Winston, Maysa, Lloyd Price, Allyn Johnson and Divine Order, Saltman Knowles, and others. She also has performed in musical theatre productions in the Washington, DC area and Atlanta, GA. In 2010, Lori Williams released her debut CD – Healing Within. And in 2012, she released her sophomore project – Eclipse of the Soul. Lori continues to perform as a solo artist, recording session artist, and background vocalist for many international musicians (working with artists like Phil Perry, Terri Lynne Carrington, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Oleta Adams, Yolanda Adams and Vesta Williams). She also travels to Europe as a clinician and performs in jazz festivals in the US and abroad. JazzTimes calls her “a dynamic presence throughout, offering exquisite wordless vocals.
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