Dean Williams has done it again. Last Tuesday evening,?friends and fans?were invited to the official launch of Dean's solo career as a contemporary World Beat jazz musician at the Drink Wine Bar in Woodbrook.
After 20 years as a professional musician, Williams has worked and played alongside some of the world's finest talents, including the late great Lord Kitchener, Wyclef Jean, Van Gibbs and Jerry Wonda. At Drink, candles placed in front of the stage created an intimate?setting, and one could easily feel the excitement?building before Dean went onstage. At 7.30 pm, the man of the hour finally greeted his audience, dressed impeccably in a brown pin-striped blazer, complemented with a white shirt and slim-fitted jeans. He was introduced by his new manager, Misty Thongs, then took the stage to entice the crowd for a 30-minute?musical journey which showcased?raw versatility and passion.
Accompanied by three jazz connoisseurs, keyboardist Wayne Guerra, bass guitarist Russell Durity and Winston Matthew on drums, Williams shared some familiar and not-so-familiar tunes from his first solo album. His first pieces were original compositions entitled Tanzania and Island Breeze. Though the songs were unfamiliar,?Williams was able to engage the crowd with his masterful touch and the smooth jazz overtones that accompanied every rift. At the end of each piece, there was collective applause and appreciation for the originality and song-writing skill displayed. He closed his set with the familiar Boyz to Men cover entitled End of the Road and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, which is featured on the Ma$tamind Productions Christmas Album. Williams adeptly added his own musical twist to these, seeming to reinvent the old classics. Williams, who teaches at the Holistic Music School and Bird Song Music Academy, said his fans "can look forward to me being my own bandleader and performing my own original work, as well as other crowd favourites."
Though currently?lead guitarist with Destra and Atlantik, the new soloist has already been scheduled to perform at jazz and music festivals next year. Williams, whose CD is due to be launched March 11, 2010, is still refining and recording his album.?For him, the process is?a labour of love which he promises will have mass Caribbean appeal to all music lovers. Island Breeze, a personal and crowd favourite, is one piece that he?says encompasses his sound as a contemporary world beat jazz artist. "My songs were inspired by the experiences in my life, the places I've travelled, and the people I've met along the way," he says.
