Culver City-based jazz bass player John B. Williams received a commendation from the city council during Monday evening’s meeting.
Williams relocated with his family to Culver City in 2010, and from 2012 served as a commissioner on the Cultural Affairs Commission.
He was commended for his dedicated service, and received the award flanked by his wife Jessica (who also sings with him), and his grandson.
Born in 1941 in the Bronx, N.Y., Williams learned piano and Latin percussion at an early age, and played with jazz groups such as The Jazz Disciples.
His musical career was put on hold when he joined the United States Marine Corp in 1960.
After his discharge in 1964, Williams studied under Ron Carter and then played with the Horace Silver Quintet. He would go on to play with artists as prestigious as Dizzy Gillespie, Leon Thomas, Kenny Burrell and Horace Parland. Williams also recorded with Count Basie and Louis Armstrong, among others.
He was a part of the television band The Posse on The Arsenio Hall Show, and he has performed on TV and in film on several other occasions.
The new millennium saw Williams encouraged to pursue his solo career, and that work is much-loved in jazz circles. He’s a well-respected musician, and he deserves his honor here in Culver City.
MUSIC CONTRIBUTION—Jazz musician John B. Williams was commended by the Culver City Council this week.
Courtesy of johnbwilliams.com