Darryl Williams short bio
When Darryl Williams moved back to Southern California after ten lucrative years playing bass behind top headliners in Las Vegas, he had no idea that he was about to become one of contemporary urban jazz’s first call sidemen.
A single late 2007 gig with Euge Groove led to an ongoing spot in the rhythm section of the saxophonist’s band, and soon the versatile bassist became the man with the groove for a literal who’s who of the genre – including Michael Lington, Norman Brown, Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Keiko Matsui, Rick Braun, Jonathan Fritzen, Jeff Lorber, Jonathan Butler, Peter White, Gregg Karukas, Kim Waters, Steve Cole, Jeff Golub, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn and Michael Paulo. Williams’ gospel and R&B roots also made him popular with singers like Brenda Russell, Howard Hewitt and Kenny Lattimore. In addition, over the last five years, he has anchored rhythm sections as one of the main stage bassists on the perennially sold out Dave Koz and Friends at Sea cruises.
Quotes
" Is there room for another smooth jazz bassist to join the ranks of Wayman Tisdale, Brian Bromberg, Michael Manson and Gerald Veasley? In the case of Darryl Williams the answer is an enthusiastic yes!
- Brian Soergel -
Jazz Times /August/08
"DARRYL WILLIAMS IS THE REAL DEAL...HE'S SOMEONE YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON AND ALWAYS BRINGS SUCH AMAZING MUSICIANSHIP AND WARMTH TO EVERY PROJECT HE IS INVOLVED WITH. HE'S BACKED UP THE WHO'S WHO OF STARS AND HAS BEEN OUR CRUISE BASS PLAYER FOR YEARS...BUT I MUST ADMIT, I AM SUPER EXCITED TO SEE HIM STEP UP FRONT AND CENTER AS A SOLO ARTIST! AND LIKE EVERYTHING HE DOES, HE HAS BROUGHT HIS A-GAME TO THIS ENDEAVOR AS WELL, WITH GREAT ARTISTRY, WONDERFUL SONGWRITING AND A UNIQUE VOICE ON THE BASS THAT IS INDEED, A WELCOME SOUND ON THE SCENE!"
- Dave Koz -
Live videos
"Do You Remember"!!
Click photo to see Darryl's Billboard chart history!