J. Kimo Williams

Education

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Quality Matters - Certificates of Completion (QM Rubric Workshop/Peer Review Workshop/ ADA Accessibility Workshop) - 2016
QM Quality Matters™ is a leader in quality assurance for Online education and has received national recognition for its peer-based approach to the continuous improvement in Online education.


DePaul University, Chicago ILL, - 1985
Post graduate coursework in marketing.

Webster University, St. Louis MO., - M.A. Management - 1983
Masters of Arts in Management and Human Relations.
Thesis: Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) and it's application to a record company start-up.

American Management Association (AMA), 1982
Seminar studies in management.

Army Personnel School, Ft. Harrison IN., 1980
Diploma, Personnel and Organizational Administration courses.

Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma WA., 1979
Graduate coursework in music composition.

Army School of Music, Norfolk VA., 1978
Diploma, Performance - bass.

Berklee College of Music, Boston MA., 1976
Bachelor of Music in Composition.

Private Instruction - Boston Mass., 1975
Studies with Dr. Hugo Norden - Counterpoint; Michael Gibbs, Jazz Composition.

Teaching

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COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO, Music Department, Associate Professor  2010 - Present

Coordinator of Assessment
Student Convocation Coordinator
Instruction include: "Black and Blues Power" - on-line course on Jimi Hendrix (developed).
Instruction include: "Introduction To Black Music" - on-line (developed)
Instruction include: "Popular Contemporary Music" - on-line (developed)
Instruction include: "Fundamentals of Music Literacy" - on-line (developed)
Instruction include: Ensemble Performance
Introduction To Music Theory 


COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO, Arts Entertainment & Media Management Department, Associate Professor, 1996 - 2010.

Coordinate the music business concentration to include supervising fourteen instructors.
Coordinate the departments (AEMMP) Semester In Los Angeles music production program.
Coordinate the AEMMP Summer Institute High School Program.
Develop and coordinate the Computer Uses For Managers curriculum to include interviewing and hiring part-time instructors.
Teach music production and music business classes.
Advise undergraduate and graduate students to include development of graduate thesis.
Teach undergraduate and graduate music business and production classes. Accomplishments:
Through meetings with part-time faculty, revised the multi-section production curriculum and the multi-section Computer Uses For Managers. Managed curriculum to insure consistency across sections.
With faculty input, rewrote cross-sectional syllabi's for production curriculum and Computer Uses For Managers course.
Through redesign of course curriculum in music production, increased the total number of music business students to be the highest by concentration in the college for the first time.
Taught the AEMMP Records Grad/Undergrad student-run record company, receiving media attention from the New York Times Develop the first on-line course for Music Marketing
Created and installed a portable ProTools Digital Recording environment within a classroom environment. Saved the college $30,000.00 per year in outside studio costs.
Created Semester In Los Angeles course for music production students.
Developed and implemented the first department Web page. Developed and wrote/revised curriculum/syllabus for the following courses.

  • Music Supervision
  • Hip Hop Beat Production
  • Music Industry Seminar (graduate Course)
  • Foundations of Music Production for 
  • High School Institute Summer Program.
  • Record Industry Think Tank
  • Decision Making in the Music Business (graduate course)
  • AEMMP Records
  • Art and Business of Recording
  • Urban Inspirational Music

Developed course concept for, and taught, Computer-Based Sound Production (Sound Department).
Instructor of Introduction to Management (AEMMP).


COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO, Arts Entertainment & Media Management Department, Radio and Sound Department, 1996-1997 (Artist-in-Residence).

Wrote curriculum/syllabus and taught:

  • Studio Production for Musicians curriculum.
  • Computer Music Printing (Finale) course.
  • Music Theory For Engineers course.
  • Demo Production. 

Department Coordinator for the multi-section Music Workshop freshman classes.    
Instructor of; Harmony and Ear Training, Orchestration (developed syllabus) and Music Theory. 
Revised syllabus and taught Introduction to Music Theory.


SHERWOOD CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, Chicago, Illinois. (Part Time Faculty), 1987-1989

Music Instructor/Jazz & Commercial Music Coordinator.
Private instructions - Guitar, Jazz Harmony, Jazz History.
Creator and Director of the Sherwood Conservatory of Music Jazz ensemble program.
Accomplishments:
Recruiting: Through on-site personal communications with high school band directors, recruited students from New Trier High School, Curry High School and other Chicago Public Schools, to participate in the Sherwood Jazz ensemble. The Sherwood Jazz Ensemble was the first student ensemble to play as part of the National Academy of Record Arts and Sciences (NARAS) Grammy In The Schools Program.
Rehearsing/Conducting: Composed, arranged and conducted jazz, rock/pop and seasonal music for the jazz ensemble.
Community Service: The Sherwood Jazz Ensemble performed for community based organizations to include performances at commercial banks.
Founded and developed the curriculum for Commercial Music Studies.
Purchased and installed an eight stationed music synthesizer lab.
Instructor of MIDI Concepts for Beginners, MIDI for Educators (for Chicago Public School teachers), Music Printing with Finale and Demo Production

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, Skokie, Illinois. (Part Time Faculty), 1984 

Developed and taught courses in Jazz Harmony.

BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, Boston, Massachusetts. (Part Time Faculty), 1976- 1977

Taught jazz harmony and ensemble performance.

Presentation/Speaking

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– Williams, JK (2018).   The Veteran and Societal Expectations - Symposium with the Shepherd University community. Erma Ora Byrd Auditorium March 23, 2018 Shepherdstown, WV.

– Williams, JK (2017). Expressing Experiences Through Composition -  In-school presentation in consort with Symphony For The Sons of Nam performance. Vanguard School of The Arts. Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

– Williams, JK (2016). Me, My Guitar, My M16-Developing Core Values Through Adversity -  Presented a multimedia talk connecting The Vietnam War experience to music and the development of core values. Peoria, Illinois Library.

– Williams, JK (2012). Me, My Guitar, My M16-Developing Core Values Through Adversity  -  Presented a multimedia talk connecting The Vietnam War experience to music and the development of core values. University of Wisconsin at Madison. 

– Williams, JK (2012). Me, My Guitar, My M16-Developing Core Values Through Adversity - Presented a multimedia talk connecting The Vietnam War experience to music and the development of core values. Center For American Values. Pueblo, Colorado. 

– Williams, JK (2011). Me, My Guitar, My M16-Developing Core Values Through Adversity - Presented a multimedia talk connecting The Vietnam War experience to music and the development of core values. University of Wisconsin at Madison. 

– Williams, JK (2010). Music Production and Recording Master Class -  Presented a Master Class as part of a 2010 Fulbright Specialist Program. Hue, Vietnam. 

– Williams, JK (2010). Women Entrepreneurs and The Business of Music -  Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities. Beijing, China.

– Williams, JK (2009). Service as Citizens - Keynote Address to Rotary One Chicago. Chicago, Illinois.  
– Williams, JK (2008). Entreprenuerism and The Business of Music - Paper presented at the 8th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Business. Honolulu Hawaii.
– Williams, JK and Hogarth, T. (2007). Jazz and the Art of Improvisation: An American Indigenous Art Form - Workshop presented at the Ho Chi Minh Conservatory of Music. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

– Williams, JK (2007). Preparing Our Children to Overcome Obstacles  - Keynote Address at the 141st Anniversary Reunion of The 9th and 10th Calvary Association Buffalo Soldiers. Tucson, Arizona. 

–Williams, JK (2007). Careers in the Music Industry - Class Presentation - Leilehua High School. Wahiawa, Hawaii.

– Williams, JK (2006). Catharsis Through Composing - Invited presentation prior to performance of Quiet Shadows (String Quartet) at the 1st International Hue Composer's Symposium. Hue, Vietnam.

– Williams, JK (2004). The African American Composer -  Invited presentation in consort with symphony performance. University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.  

– Williams, JK (2004). Expressing Experiences Through Composition - In-school presentation in consort with symphony performance. Denver School of the Arts. Denver, Colorado. 

– Williams, JK and Colaiuta, V (2003). Concepts of The Jazz Ensemble Through Composition.
Invited to present a Master Class for music students. University of Wisconsin. Whitewater, Wisconsin.

– Williams, JK (2003). Applied Marketing in the Music Industry: An International Perspective -
Workshop presented to Interstudio Continuing Education Program. St Petersburg, Russia. 

– Williams, JK and Van Nam, N. (2002). Traditional Music of Vietnam -
Developed and moderated presentation by Dr Nguyen Van Nam, composer from Vietnam. Columbia College Chicago. Chicago, Ill.

– Williams, JK (2001). The Essence of the American Composer - Public presentation in consort with symphony performance at the Ho Chi Minh Conservatory of Music. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

– Williams, JK (2001). Music and Composition - Public school in-class presentation in consort with symphony performance. Oak Park, IL. 

– Williams, JK (1998 - 2001). Music of Great Composers - Pre-concert presenter Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Chicago, Ill. 

– Williams, JK (1995 -2001). Anyone Can Compose Music - Developed and taught in-schools workshops for the Ravina Festival. Highland Park, Illinois

– Williams, JK (2001). Careers in the Music Business - Panelist for NARAS's Grammy's In The Schools Program. Columbia College Chicago, Ill.

– Williams, JK (2000). Hip Hop Powershop 2000 - Invited by Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as a panelist to discuss Hip Hop and its place in the Music Industry. Emory University.  Atlanta, Ga.
– Williams, K. (1999). Ea Sola Recital.
Moderator/Interviewer for presentation by Vietnam artist Ea Sola at the Chicago Cultural Center. Chicago, Ill. 

– Williams, K. (1999) Anyone Can Be a Composer - In-school presentation in consort with symphony performance. Lancaster, PA.

– Williams, K. (1998). The Concepts of American Music. Viet Nam.
Lectures at the Ho Chi Minh Conservatory of Music and the Hanoi Conservatory of Music in Viet Nam.

Williams, K. (1998). Music and Composition. Indianapolis, Indiana.
In school presentation in consort with symphony performance. Public Schools, Indianapolis, Indiana.

– Williams, K. (1998). Music and Composition. Atlanta, GA.
Invited presenter as part of National Public Radio's '"A King Celebration", in consort with symphony performance. Spellman College, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA public schools. 

– Williams, K. (1997 - 1998). Dissecting African Portraits. Chicago, Ill.
Pre-concert presentation at Symphony Hall and in-school presentations for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's production of Lukumbe's African Portraits Symphony.

– Williams, K. (1996). The Music of William Grant Still. Chicago, Ill.
Pre-concert presentation with The Andersen String Quartets' performance. North Park College.

– Williams, K. (1996). Composition and Improvisation in World Music. Chicago, Ill.
Invited Panelist for the Chicago Humanities Institute symposium with Bruno Nettle. University of Chicago. 

– Williams, K. (1995). The Evolving American Symphony Orchestra: Creating An Atmosphere of Inclusiveness. Chicago, Ill.
Developed and moderated an Symposium for The Columbia College; Cultures, Communities and The Arts, Building Bridges Through Collaboration. Panelist included Henry Fogel, Hale Smith, Tania Leon, Joan Harris and Yong Yan Hu. 

– Williams, K. (1994). Society and The Artist. Chicago, Ill.
Moderator/panelist for the The Columbia College Conference: Cultures Communities and the Arts: Exploring the Impact of Cultural Diversity in Chicago.

– Williams, K. and Freeman, P. (1994). Minorities In Classical Music. Chicago, Ill.
Invited guest on Fox TV's "32 This Week" with Wanda Wells.

– Williams, K. (1994). The African American Composer. Detroit Michigan.
Invited presentation in consort with symphony performance. Unisys African-American Composers Forum and Symposium.

– Williams, K. (1992). NAACP ACT-SO. Chicago, Ill.
Judge national composers competition. 

– Williams, K. and Hailstork (1991). The African American Composer. Savannah , Georgia.
Invited presentation in consort with symphony performance.

– Williams, K. (1990). Careers in the Music Industry. Chicago, Ill.
Panelist/Moderator, DePaul University - NARAS Grammy's In The Schools.

– Williams, K. (1989). Careers in the Music Industry. Chicago, Ill.
Panelist/Moderator and developed through the NARAS education committee, the first NARAS Grammy's In The Schools.

Publications/Papers

Williams, JK. (2017).  The Veteran and Societal Expectations - Paper presented  at a Veterans symposium   Shepherd University. Shepherdstown WV. March 23, 2018.


Williams, JK. (2017). Treatise: Conceptualizing American Popular Music Within a Cultural Paradigm- One Omik Music Publishing, Shepherdstown WV. ISBN: 978-0-9711360-2-1

Williams, JK. (2014). Applied Music Theory For Managers Engineers Producers and Artists (E-Learning Web-based Platform).
One Omik Music Publishing, Chicago, Ill. 

Williams, JK. (2013). Applied Music Theory For Managers Engineers Producers and Artists (E book Edition). One Omik Music Publishing, Chicago, Ill. (E book).

Williams, JK. (2009). Women Entrepreneurs in The Music Industry. Beijing, China.
Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities. 

Williams, JK. (2009). Women Entrepreneurs in The Music Industry. 2010, Common Ground Publishing, The International Journal on Arts and The Humanities.

Williams, JK. (2008). Applied Music Theory For Managers Engineers Producers and Artists (2nd Edition). One Omik Music Publishing, Chicago, Ill. Workbook.

Williams, JK. (2002). Applied Music Theory For Managers Engineers Producers and Artists. One Omik Music Publishing, Chicago, Ill.
Workbook. ISBN: 9780971136007

Williams, JK. (2001). The Digital Producer. Chicago, Ill.
Professional Paper for Berklee Alumni Newsletter.

Williams, JK. and Clague, M. (1995). Classical Music in Chicago. Chicago, Ill. Entry for the Newberry Library and their History of Chicago Encyclopedia.
Williams, JK. (1995). The Evolving Symphony Orchestra. Chicago, Ill.
Paper presented at the Columbia College; Cultures, Communities and The Arts, Building Bridges Through Collaboration.

Williams, JK. (1976). Diagonal Harmony. Boston, Mass.
Manuscript, a new concepts in compositional harmony.

Williams, JK. (1976-2016)

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Performances

Classical

- Quiet Shadows- Solo Piano -  arranged January 2017 performed by:

Leon Bates, Shepherdstown WV (March 2018) 

- For The Sons of Nam- Solo Piano -  arranged January 2017 performed by:

Leon Bates, Shepherdstown WV (March 2018) 

- Buffalo Soldiers- Solo Piano -  arranged January 2017 performed by:

Leon Bates, Shepherdstown WV (March 2018) 

- Into The Liquid /A Veterans Lament- Solo Piano -  arranged January 2017 performed by:

Leon Bates, Shepherdstown WV (March 2018) 

Sonata In Skrebneski - Piano Sonata composed June 2016, performed by: Sebastian Huydt . Chicago, (September 2016)

- A Veterans Lament - Orchestra - composed April 2015 performed by: The Chicago Sinfonietta (orchestra version) - Mei-Ann Chen, conductor (June 2015). [click for relevant link]

- Into The Liquid - String Quartet- composed September 2012 performed by: 

- Quiet Shadows - String Quartet- composed September 1978 Performed by: The Ethel Quartet - NYC (2003), Orlando Florida (2005)

- A Symphony of Place - for Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Big Band, Gospel Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus, Narrator and Soprano and Baritone voice - composed September 2000 - Premiered January 2001 by the Oak Park and River Forest Symphony Orchestra -Jay Friedman conductor. 

- An African Fanfare - for African percussion ensemble, audience and orchestra - composed Aug. 99
Duluth Superior Symphonic Orchestra -Yong Yan Hu Conductor-premiere, Oct. 99. 

- Buffalo Soldiers - for Symphonic Band /Full Orchestra - composed June 1997  performed by:

  • University of Wisconsin at Whitewater  Symphonic Wind Ensemble - (November 2018)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta (orchestra version) - Paul Freeman , conductor (November 2006)
  • DePaul University Concert Band - Rodney Dorsey, conductor (February 2001)
  • 214th Army Ground Forces Band - Bandmaster, conductor (February 2001) 
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra (orchestra arrangement) - Thomas Wilkins, conductor (March 2000)
  • West Point Concert Band - LTC Dietrick, conductor (February 21, 1999)

Symphonic version recorded by the St Petersburg (Russia) Symphony, on the CD titled; "Buffalo Soldiers" , and released on LBM Records 2006


- Two Gether - String Quartet - composed Aug. 1995 (no longer available)

- Two Gether - Orchestra - orchestration of String Quartet, (December 1996) (no longer available)

  • Ho Chi Minh City Symphony Orchestra - James McDonald, conductor (September 2001) 
  • String Currents - Kay George Roberts, conductor (March 1998)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta - Paul Freeman, conductor (January1997) 

From You - for orchestra and gospel choir - composed January 1995, performed by:
Lincoln Symphony - Yong Yan Hu, conductor (April 1995) 

- Fanfare For Life - Orchestra - composed February 1994, performed by: 

  • University of Chicago Wind Ensemble - Chip Stefano, conductor (November 2018)
  • Bay Atlantic Symphony, NJ - Jed Gaylin, conductor (November, 2018)
  • Maryland Symphony Orchestra - Antietam Battle Grounds Harpsburg MD. Elizabeth Shultz, conductor (July 2018).
  • Temecula Symphony - Temucula CA.  John Mario, conductor - (May 2018)
  • Carroll Symphony - Carrollton Ga.  Terry Lowry, conductor - (July 2017)
  • Indianapolis Symphony, ID - Leslie Dunner, conductor (February 2009)
  • Dallas Symphony  TX. Leslie B. Dunner, conductor (June 2008)
  • Alabama Symphony - Leslie B. Dunner, conductor (January 2008)
  • Nashville Symphony - Karen Lynne Deal, conductor (January 2007)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta - Paul Freeman, conductor (April 2004)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta - Paul Freeman, conductor (September 2003)
  • Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra - Kay Roberts, conductor (September 2000)
  • Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra - Paul Freeman, conductor (February 2000)
  • Shreveport Symphony - Kay Roberts, conductor (January 2000)
  • Nashville Symphony - (January 1999)
  • Savannah Symphony - Tania Leon, Conductor (February 1996)
  • Northwest Symphony Orchestra - Paul Vermeer, conductor (January 1996)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta - Paul Freeman, conductor (May 1994)
  • Kokomo Symphony - Brian Groner, conductor (July and Oct. 94)

Recorded by the St Petersburg (Russia) Symphony on the CD titled "Buffalo Soldiers" and released on LBM Records 2006

- New Beginnings - String Quartet - composed Feb. 1994 (no longer available)

- Symphony For The Sons of Nam - Orchestra - composed November 1991, performed by:

  • Rome Symphony Orchestra, GA. - Jeffrey Dokken, conductor (November 2018)
  • Vanguard School of The Arts Orchestra - Frank Fyock, conductor (May 2017)
  • The Chicago Sinfonietta (Chapter II) - Mei-Ann Chen, conductor (June 2015)
  • Nova Vista Symphony - Anthony Quartuccio, conductor (October 2015)
  • United States Air Force Band of Flight (Dayton Ohio) Wind Ensemble - Michael Mench, conductor (November 2012)
  • Denver School of The Arts Orchestra - Frank Fyock, conductor (December 2007)
  • Denver School of The Arts Orchestra - Frank Fyock, conductor (March 2004)
  • Charlotte North Carolina Symphony Orchestra - Alan Yamamoto, conductor (January 2004)
  • Ho Chi Minh City Symphony Orchestra - James McDonald, conductor (September 2001)
  • The Rockford Symphony Orchestra - Stephen Locke, conductor (March 2001)
  • The Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra - Stephen Locke, conductor (October 1999)
  • Lancaster Symphony - Stephen Gunthenhauser, conductor (March 1999)
  • Philadelphia Orchestra - Andre Smith, conductor (January 1999)
  • Indianapolis Symphony - Paul Freeman, conductor (February 1998)
  • Atlanta Symphony - Andre Smith, conductor (January 1998)
  • Winona Symphony - Paul Vance, conductor (March 1997)
  • Delaware Symphony Orchestra - Stephen Gunzenhauser, conductor (March 1997)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta - Paul Freeman, conductor (January 1996)
  • North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra - Carlton Woods, conductor (March 1995)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta - Paul Freeman, conductor (November 1994) (revised version)
  • Sacramento Symphony - Jeremy Swerley, conductor (April 1994)
  • Lincoln Symphony Orchestra - Yong Yan Hu, conductor (November 1993)
  • Chicago Sinfonietta - Yong Yan Hu, conductor (April 1993)
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Leslie Dunner, conductor (April 1993)
  • Savannah Symphony Orchestra - Phillip Greenberg, conductor (February 1992)

Recorded by the St Petersburg Russian Symphony on the CD titled "Buffalo Soldiers" and released on LBM Records 2006


Jazz and Popular:

Kimotion (formerly The Paumalu Symphony) - Founded, and composed original jazz-influenced music for 25-member ensemble
Performances:
Hue Arts Festival, Hue Vietnam, 2008
Ho Chi Minh Concert Hall, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 2008
Joe's Sport's Bar, Chicago, Ill., 2005
Martyr's Concert Club, Chicago, Ill.,2003
Oak Park Area Arts Council Jazz Concert series, Oak Park Ill., 2003
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater WI., (with Vinnie Colaiuta former drummer with Frank Zappa and Sting, 2003
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA., (with Vinnie Colaiuta and actor Gary Sinise), 2003
Dance Center at Columbia College (with actor Gary Sinise), Chicago, Ill.,2001
Getz Theater of Columbia College, Chicago, Ill.,2001      
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, Ill.,1987
Orphans Concert Club, Chicago, Ill.,1986
Music Alive-Cable TV Program, Chicago, Ill., 1985
Northeastern University, Skokie, Ill., 1983
The Esplanade on the Charles River, Boston, Mass., 1977   
Walpole Prison, Boston, Mass., 1977    
Berklee Performance Center, Boston, Mass., 1976

Released three CDs featuring Kimotion: 

Kimo Williams Band - Formed and directs a three member group performing the music of Jimi Hendrix and the original works of Kimo Williams. - Performances in Chicago concert venues since 1995.

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Commissions

Pianist, Yu-Hsuan Liao (September 2019) - ICE - Solo piano

Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra (March 2019) - Into The Liquid (Chamber orchestra orchestration)

City of Chicago Office of Cultural Affairs, 2016 -Sonata in Skrebneski - Solo Piano

Chicago Math and Science Academy, 2016 - When Water Flows - Grade 3 Band 

ETHEL, 2012 - Into The Liquid - String Quartet

NEA/American Composers Forum/Oak Park Illinois, 2001 - A Symphony of Place - Orchestra

Joffrey Ballet, 1997 - Affection - Symphonic-Big-Band-Rock

West Point Academy, 1997 - Buffalo Soldiers - Symphonic Band

Chicago Sinfonietta, 1995 - Two Gether - String Quartet

Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, 1995 - All From You - Orchestra

AT&T/Chicago Sinfonietta, 1994 - Fanfare For Life - Orchestra

Dr. and Mrs. John Freitag, 1994 - New Beginnings - String Quartet

Chicago Sinfonietta, 1994 - Animal Stories - Orchestra 

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Professional Activities

Commercial Recording Company (Little Beck Music)-Current

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 Producer and Engineer Releases:  

  • Carol Williams - We Can Work It Out: Commentaries on the Beatles. 2009
  • Carol Williams - Empty Boots: Commentaries on War and Country. 2008
  • Carol Williams - I Can Live With That. 2006
  • Carol Williams - Letter From Chief Seattle. 2006
  • Kimo Williams and Kimotion - Kimotion Live with My Friend Vinnie. 2006
  • Buffalo Soldiers -Three symphonies performed by the St Petersburg Russian Symphony includes Symphony For The Sons of Nam, 
  • Fanfare For Life and Buffalo Soldiers. 2006
  • Kimo Williams and Kimotion - Tracking featuring Michael Brecker, Vinnie Colaiuta, Victor Bailey and other nationally recognized jazz artist. 2001
  • Kimotion - A Streetcar Named Desire (music from the Steppenwolf production). 1998
  • Carol Williams - Self-titled CD . 1991
  • Kimo and The Paumalu Symphony -War Stories featuring Mike Stern,Victor Bailey,and others, received critical reviews to include four and one half stars from Downbeat magazine. 1990

Photo Studio and Gallery (KimoPics)

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Photographer/Owner- KIMOPICS Studio and Gallery
Own and operate a professional photo gallery exhibiting the photographs of Kimo Williams.

133 West German Street  Suite 100 Shepherdstown WV 25443

Multi-Media Development and Productions - 1980-Present

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Plan, construct and produce multi-media web-based / Computer-based productions
Productions 

  • Web Portal Design and implementation 
  • On-line interactive web-based courses
  • Flash oriented presentation platforms
  • Student Orientation and recruiting DVD for the Arts Entertainment Media Management Program
  • American Soldier DVD. 4min Multimedia DVD 
  • American Soldier DVD. 4min Multimedia DVD

Music Production Services (Little Beck LLC)

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Musical group performances

  • Electric Bass performer
  • Compose Music for Theater and 
  • Dance
  • Musical Director Services
  • Composer/Arranger 
  • Arts Management Consulting

Computer Skills

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Digital Audio software platforms (Protools, Logic, Ableton etc.,)

  • Web Design (Dreamweaver, Captivate, HTML5)
  • Digital Images and Video ( Aperture, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, Premiere)
  • Word Processing/Desktop Publishing (Office, Excel, Keynote, Google Docs)
  • Financial (MYOB, Quicken)
  • Music (Sibelius, Finale)

Accomplishments

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS


Production:

Arts Management 

  • Developed and implemented a Music Technology Curriculum and Music Production Workshop as a Fulbright Specialist in Vietnam - 2010. [click for relevant link]
  • Developed and implemented a web-based marketing instructional platform for the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Finland. 2007 [click for relevant link]
  • Designed the Logo with Artists Gary Tinnery and suggested the final inscription; "Chicago Remembers" for the City of Chicago Commission to Establish a Vietnam War memorial: 2005
  • Adjudicator/panelist State of Illinois Arts Council. 2000-2002.

Music Director/Founder/Manager - 


Arts Management Consultant/Adjudicator - 1998-2005
Conducted on-site evaluations of musical arts organizations in Michigan. Provided detailed assessment reports on submitted grant proposals. Organizations included:
-The Detroit Symphony
-The Grand Rapids Symphony
-University Music Society State of Michigan's Arts Council.

AWARDS/SPECIAL RECOGNITION

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Purpose Prize Fellow , 2015
Honored as 2015 Purpose Prize Fellow, Recognizing Social Innovators Over 60

Fulbright Specialist, 2015-2020
Develop international program on American Popular Music and improvisation and it relations to Cultural Identity. 

Faculty Development Award. 2013
Columbia College Chicago

Fulbright Specialist, 2007-2012
Develop international program on American Jazz History and improvisation and it relations to Cultural Identity.

Chicagoan of The Year, 2007
Chicago Magazine.

NEA Continental Harmony Project, 2001
Winner of Oak Park IL., composer commission. Composed, A Symphony of Place (2001).

Detroit Symphony, African American Composers Competition, 2000
Winning composition; Buffalo Soldiers .

Lancaster Symphony Composers Award, 1999
38th recipient for contributions to American Music.

Illinois Arts Council, 1999
Composer Fellowship Award.

Dictionary of Black Composers, 1999
Inclusion: 978-1-884964-27-5, Samuel Floyd - Published by: Rutledge.

Columbia College Chicago, 1998
Faculty Development Award.

African American Academy of Arts and Letters. 1996
Inducted

Teacher of the Year, Columbia College Chicago, 1996
Nominated by students.

Detroit Symphony, African American Composers Symposium, 1994
Panelist.

Detroit Symphony, Black Composers Competition, 1993
Winning composition; Symphony For The Sons of Nam.

Savannah Symphony,- Black Composers Competition, 1991
Winning Composition; Symphony For The Sons of Nam.

League of Black Women The Black Rose Award, 1989
For service to the community.

Fort Sheridan Photography Contest, 1983  
Won first and second prize.

GRANTS/FUNDRAISING

Founder and Director. The United States Vietnam Arts Program (USVAP), with a mission to: provide opportunities for artists from Viet Nam and the United States to work collaboratively on artistic projects; to offer encouragement and support for the collaborative process particularly across cultural boundaries; and to bring together new and existing audiences to discover or rediscover the cultural and artistic traditions of both countries. 

Produced annual USVAP fund-raising event raising over $150,000.00. 2005-2012

Wrote grants and solicited contributions:
Awarded an Illinois Arts Council grant $30,000.00, 2008
Awarded a Dance Theater Workshop Grant $8,000.00, 2005
Awarded a Northwestern University series of project grants totaling $23,000.00, 2004
Awarded an Illinois Arts Council grant $15,000.00, 2002
Awarded an Illinois Arts Council grant for $7,500.00, 2001

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Public Relations and REVIEWS

Television

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WYCU - Performance of Veterans Lament - 2015

ABC TV- ABC News at 10pm. Interviewee, USVAP fundraising event.

Discovery Channel (National Geographic - Featured interviewee, Vietnam Veterans In Their Own Words, (2008)

WTTW Featured Personality related to my selection as Chicagoan of the Year, 2006

WFLD Fox Thing In The Morning Relating to my award as Chicagoan of the Year, 2006

CLTV in Chicago. Interview relating to the premiere of Buffalo Soldiers, 2006

CBS TV- CSI New York- Musician, 2005

ArtBeat Chicago - with Gary Sinise, 2002

190 North, Channel 7 - On Air performance with Gary Sinise, 2002

Conan O'Brian Talk Show - Gary Sinise promoted LBM CD release, 2002

The Daily Show - Gary Sinise promoted LBM CD release, 2002

David Letterman - Gary Sinise promoted LBM CD release, 2002

Fox TV 32 - On air panelist /consultant for their production, Classical Music and Minorities, 1995

Radio

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WBEZ Early Edition - relating to remembering September 11th as an artist, 2003

WBEZ Steve Edwards (with Gary Sinise) - relating to the release of Tracking, 2002

WBEZ Steve Edwards - relating to composition Symphony of Place , 2001

NPR Performance Today - Interviewed and Symphony For The Sons of Nam programmed (Annually on Memorial Day, 1993, 2008

WFMT, Studs Terkles' - relating to String Quartet premiere, 1993

Video

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Clearvue Education Series - featured composer on their Video release What is a Composer, 1999

Print Reviews and News Articles (Classical)

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Orchestra Music (additional news stories and full reviews available on request):

  • The Chicago Tribune - Jon Van Rhein,"What Buffalo Soldiers sets out to do it does most effectively" .
  • The Chicago Tribune "the score has an appealing unpretentiousness" .
  • The Detroit Free Press - "A gifted melodist with great ideas and a clear sense of what works and what doesn't--- His Symphony has abundant popular appeal" .
  • American Record Guide - "The composer has a superb ear for instrumental color and orchestration" .
  • St Petersburg Times - "tuneful music with lots of popular appeal" .
  • The Chicago SunTimes - "immediately accessible" .
  • The Lincoln Journal - "Williams' classical training and rock music experience are evident in his effective use of rhythm,percussion and instrumental color" .
  • The Sacramento Bee - "impressive talent at work" .
  • The Lincoln Star - "handsomely balanced and lovely to hear--- the crowd liked it" .
  • The Chicago Defender -"he has a unique gift for composing a modern work that audiences crave to hear again and again".
  • Buffalo News - "has a lack of pretension that sustains interest".
  • Northwest Arkansas Times - "His use of the orchestra showed a palate of extraordinary colors" .
  • The Atlanta Journal - "His powerful Symphony bristles with bold rhythmic vitality and his treatment of themes seems to reflect influences ranging from native American song to Leonard Bernstein".
  • The Delaware News Journal - "Williams' orchestration is lavish and his style cinematic, the result is alluring, the writing for unusual instruments often produces dramatic, dynamic music. This is vivid, vital music".

Print Reviews and News Articles (Jazz))

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  • Downbeat - "Powerful Stuff 41/2 stars".
  • Jazziz - "A fat slick sound with horns slicing through guitar grunge" .
  • The Chicago SunTimes - "Williams' comes up with a sound that is sheer energy and unpretentious" .
  • JazzTimes - "Williams' brilliant, razor-edged mosaics bristle with the audacious rawness of Zappa" .
  • Tucson Citizen - "The sound is energetic, rocking instead of swinging, and flirting, bass-rich rhythms that rumble and drive".
  • Modern Drummer - "Vinnie Colaiuta (performing on the CD Tracking), feels time elapsing in slow motion, which allows him to carve it [Kimo's compositions] into an infinite number of jaw-dropping variations".
  • Chicago Journal - "Elusive, if not quiet, Kimotion offers Columbia audiences a wonderfully weird show".
  • DownBeat - "Kimotion put on an energetic performance of his signature big band rock".

Photography

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Information coming soon!


MEMBERSHIPS

National Band Association - Past Member

College Band Directors - Past Member

Quality Matters - Past Member

United States Service Organization (USO) - Past board member

National Association Record Industry Professionals (NARIP) - Past member.
Project Management Institute - Past member 

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences - Past Governor /Vice President and current member.

National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) - One Omik Music Publisher member.
Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI)-
Writer/Publisher member.

Chicago Youth Symphony - Past board member.

National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum - Past board member.

National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) - Past member.

International Association of Jazz Educators - Past member.

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MILITARY SERVICE

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Bandmaster Commander. United States Army, 1989-1994
Reserve Warrant Officer and Commander of the 85th Division Reserve Band at Fort Sheridan IL.

Captain. US Army-1980-1989
Administration Corps.

Marketing Officer, 1983-1986.
For the Chicago Recruiting District of the US Army Recruiting initiatives:
Responsibilities included developing marketing strategies, evaluating advertising efforts and recommending alternative advertising to include media buys for specific markets.

US Army Bandsman, 1978-1980
Performed on guitar, electric bass and percussion as a musician for the US Army.

Viet Nam Veteran, 1970
Combat Engineer Received Vietnam Cross of Gallantry awarded by the Vietnam Government and a US Army medal for work as a music performer for troops stationed in remote fighting locations.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Community

Shepherdstown WV, Visitors Center, 2019 - Serve on the Board of Directors

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), 2019 - Representing West Virginia in support of the 2018 US Congressional ACT for Music Modernization.

USO, 2004-2012 - Performer, founded and directed the Lt. Dan Band performing for the military.

USO, 2009-2011 - Board of Directors (BOD)

City of Chicago, 2005-2006 - Veterans Committee to build Vietnam Memorial Plaza

National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, 1997-2003 - BOD and Executive Director.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2000-2001 - Board of Directors

Columbia College Chicago


  • Music Department Assessment Coordinator
  • All College Tenure Committee, 2009/2015
  • College Council (member), 2008-2010
  • Sabbatical Committee (member), 2005-2006
  • College Council (member), 2001-2002
  • Committee on Faculty Status, 1997-1999
  • Leadership Conference, 1993
  • Year One Discovery Program, 1993
  • Faculty Development Award Committee, 1993
  • Student Recognition Committee, 1993
  • CCC Curriculum Committee, 1993-1885
  • Year One Discovery Program, 1992
  • Leadership Conference, 1992
  • Year One Discovery Program, 1991

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