Lawrence Lowell Williams is an American record producer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. He regularly toured and recorded with Al Jarreau.[1]
Larry Williams | |
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![]() Williams in 2006 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Lawrence Lowell Williams |
Genres | Jazz, Funk / Soul, Jazz-Rock, Pop |
Occupation(s) | Producer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist |
Instrument(s) | Keyboards, saxophone, flute, clarinet |
Website | willyworldmusic |
Williams was born in Kansas City, Kansas and grew up in Overland Park. Studied music at Indiana University School of Music where he met Jerry Hey and Kim Hutchcroft, who would later become a member of Seawind. He left university to work full-time with the Seawind in Hawaii.[2]
He has recorded with Christopher Cross, David Crosby, Helen Reddy, Lee Ritenour, Lionel Richie, Mezzoforte, Michael Bolton, Michael Franks, Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Natalie Cole, Olivia Newton-John, Pat Benatar, Patrice Rushen, Paul Young, Pink Floyd, Randy Crawford, Randy Newman, Ray Parker Jr., Richard Marx, Rick Astley, Roberta Flack, Sheena Easton, Simply Red and Stevie Nicks among others. Williams played tenor saxophone, flute and keyboards on Michael Jackson's album Thriller.[3]
He knows me inside and out, Jarreau says of Williams. It was just natural for him to do the arrangements, because he knows where I've been, what I like doing, and how I am these days onstage.