TONY WILLIAMS

Tony Williams is a legendary alto saxophonist who truly represents "The Sound Of Philadelphia". Born and raised as a child in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Tony soon made it up north where he grew up outside of Philadelphia in Crestmont, Pennsylvania. He grew up playing the horn as a youngster and soon found his love with the music. He played in school bands in high school (Abington High School) and later went to college at Tennessee A & I (presently known as Tennessee State University) and played with their band. He transfered to Central State University in Ohio and hooked up with music opportunities there.

After graduating from Central State he spent time in the military as he found the way to also play in the 75th Army Band at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Tony is a true educator as well as a great musician. He taught in the Philadelphia School System for over 25 years and retired after period teaching health & physical education, coaching and being a vice principal. 

Music was always in Tony's blood, schedule and lifestyle. Tony Williams found a way to teach, coach, administrate and perform music professionally in the Philadelphia area as well as on the road nationally and internationally while teaching for over 20 years at Barrett Junior High School in South Philadelphia. 

Tony had many opportunities to travel and play music full time on the road but Tony had a passion and love for his wife, Gloria and 3 children. Tony's family has been a strong part of the backbone and support of his music. Gloria has to be considered Tony's biggest supporter. Greg (Tony's oldest son) is the owner of BDG Records which is heavily involved in Tony's promotions. Antoinette (Tony's daughter) played a solid part behind the scenes in Tony's productions and engagements. Glenn (Tony's youngest son) is a gifted and talented saxophonist, pianist and recording artist.

Tony also had a passion to "keep jazz alive" so it was not enough for Tony just to be a professional musician. He had to give back and he did that in a way that can not be matched by many. Tony Williams started a jazz theory and music program in his school; Ada H. Lewis Middle School Jazz Band. Not long after, he started his own jazz theory and music program that is now known as the Mount Airy Cultural Center, Inc. which he is the founder and director. Link on to www.maccjazz.org to get more information about the Mount Airy Cultural Center, Inc. 

There are well known musicians that came from those two programs that Tony Williams mentored and influenced. Some of them include James Lloyd, Curtis Harmon, Cedric Napolean (all from Pieces Of A Dream); Glenn Williams, Mark Mitchell,  Joey DeFrancesco, Mark Henry, Leon Jordan, Leon Jordan, Jr., Duane Eubanks, Derrick Bush, Darryl Hall, Christian McBride, Pamela Williams just to name a few. Throughout the years, Tony and the Mount Airy Cultural Center has received a great amount of support from many volunteers and some of the surrounding areas finest musicians. Some of them include Sonny Hoxter, Tommy Grice, Joe Stevenson, Wesley Norton, Dr. Val Jennings, Don Wilson, Mark Mitchell, Mike Boone, Stan Wilson and Leon Jordan.

   TONY'S  MUSIC  CAREER

Tony Williams became a household name in the Philly area in the 60's as he played in the major jazz hot spots. He was in high demand to be the featured saxophonist in many bands. He later contracted with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff of Philadelphia International Records as he can be found on many of the Philly International's hits with Billy Paul, MFSB, Blue Magic, Intruders, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and the O'Jays.

"Straight Ahead Jazz" is Tony's love in the music genres. He formed his own groups and ensembles and has continued on in the profession of a jazz musician for over 50 years. He has recorded and/or performed with such jazz greats as Nat Adderley, Butch Ballard, Bootsie Barnes, Keter Betts, John Blake, Mike Boone, Tyrone Brown, Ray Bryant, Donald Byrd, Tommy Campbell, Jean Carn,Johnnie Coles, Wild Bill Davis, Bill Doggett, Bobby Durham, Aaron Graves, Eddie Green, Al Grey, Tommy Grice, Daryl  Hall, Lionel Hampton, Groove Holmes, Al Jackson, Etta Jones, Leon Jordan, Junior Mance, Jim Martinez, Jimmy McGriff, Craig McIver, Dick Morgan, Barbara Morrison, David "Fathead" Newman, Jimi Odell, Trudy Pitts, Dave Posmontier, Gerald Price, Irene Reid, Charlie Rice, Lee Smith, Terell Stafford, Dakota Staton, Gerald Price, Billy Paul, Jean Carn,  Wendy Simon, Junior Mance,  Mickey Roker, Shirley Scott, Dr. Lonnie Liston Smith, Tim Warfield, Grover Washington, Jr., Ronnie Wells, Yorg Widmoser, Claude Williams, Glenn Williams, Don Wilson, Phil Wright. 

Tony also was a part of the Bill Cosby band on his TV show. He and Bill Cosby have stayed very close throughout the years as Bill Cosby performs annually as a part of the Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival with the Bill Cosby Reunion Band. Tony had the honor of re-uniting with the Bill Cosby Reunion Band this past April (2010) at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia as Bill Cosby was honored as the recipient of the Marion Anderson Award. 
Link on to http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=36187&pg=2 to see the article about the Gala and a picture of Tony Williams with the reunion band.
  
Tony Williams has a recording career of his own as he has produced 2 signature albums of his own; "Thank GOD For Jazz" and "Homecoming".

Thank GOD For Jazz is a classic that includes some classic spirituals, jazz and patriotic standards, blues and originals.
You can link on to www.cdbaby.com/williamstony to view, listen to and order
"Thank GOD For Jazz" which is on the BDG Records label.

Tony has also been promoted and represented by BDG as he is on 3 other BDG CD's; "AIDS Benefit Jazz", "All The Way Live", "The Best Of BDG".

Tony has traveled and toured throughout the U.S. and abroad. He has performed with many of the jazz greats in so many different musical events and jazz festivals. Internationally, Tony has performed on tour in Germany, Canada, Japan, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands.

Tony Williams has received hundreds of awards, proclamations and resolutions. Some of his distinguished honors include ...

                       Central State University Music Hall Of Fame
                       Chattanooga Jazz Hall Of Fame
                       Abington High School Music Hall Of Fame
                       Mill Creek Jazz Award
                       Mellon Jazz Award
                       Pennsylvania House Of Representatives Man Of The Year
                       Jimmy Blanton Jazz Award
                       Germantown Historical Hall Of Fame
                       Pieces Of A Dream Award
                       Keeping Jazz Alive Award
                       Art Without Boundaries Award
                       Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award
                       BDG Enterprises Community Award 
 
                    
Link on to see ...
    http://articles.philly.com/2008-08-24/entertainment/25257179_1_jazz-stanleyturrentine-s-young_musicians
         - article about Tony Williams "Old Faithful"  
    http://famous-relationships.topsynergy.com/Bill_Cosby/NEWS.asp
      - "relationships with Bill Cosby" (music critis picks) 

    http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110903/NEWS/109030332/Wilmington-pastor-open-Bill-Cosby
      - article about Pastor "D"; Derrick D. Johnson opening up
         for Bill Cosby at the 2011 Tony Williams Jazz Fest

    
        http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=486
      - article about the Mellon Jazz Award 

    http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/arti0600_09.htm
      - article about Tony Williams and others contribution to Philly Jazz


    http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-insider/Cosby.html
      - article about Tony Williams' participation in Bill Cosby Jazz Fest
        (Bill Cosby receiving the Marian Anderson Award)

    
    http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-23/news/29178625_1_odean-pope-saxophone-choir-monette-sudler
      - article about Philly musicians, Tony Williams' and Bill Cosby's
         participation in the benefit for Odean Pope

    http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-02/news/30106136_1_jam-session-jazz-performance-musicians
      - promo article of the Tony Williams Jazz Fest promotion

    http://www.phillytrib.com/entertainmentarticles/item/310-jazz-fest-honors-odean-pope-others.html 
            - promo article about the activities and honoring of Odean Pope    
         at the Tony Williams Jazz Fest   


   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wCh_uk18TU&NR=related
         - You Tube promo about Tony Williams & the 
         Tony Williams Jazz Fest 

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXg1MkdjGEQ
       - You Tube video featuring Berklee City Music at the 
         2011 Tony Williams Jazz Fest
  

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGWTue8zsKM

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFiA7TarF0s
     - You Tube live recording of Jim Martinez CD "Praise HIM With Jazz"
        in New York featuring Tony Williams, Lionel Hampton & Jimi Odell

         "The Lord's Prayer"
         "When The Saints Go Marching In"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL5ytxChs5g

   - You Tube recording of Tony Williams, Grover Washington and 

        Tony Williams & David Brown                 Tony Williams & Greg Williams

   - to preview, or order / purchase ($10.99) link on to -