Grammy-nominated producer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist Larry Williams has performed, produced and toured with the greatest musical artists on some of the best-sellling albums and films in music history for over 35 years. Having studied classical and jazz on a music scholarship at Indiana University, he is known for his proficiency on both keyboards and woodwinds (sax, flute and clarinet). Larry’s contributions can be heard on over 2000 records, movies and commercials.

Larry credits Quincy Jones as his mentor with whom he recorded over 30 projects including Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall”, “Bad” and “Thriller”– the biggest selling album of all time.

“I’ve been lucky enough to experience the exciting and totally positive energy of pure music at the highest level.”
— Larry Williams

A founding member of the seminal band Seawind in 1975, Larry has gone on to record with a who’s who of the music industry including: Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monae, Stevie Wonder, Jacob Collier, John Mayer, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, David Foster, Christina Aguilera, Prince, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Placido Domingo, George Benson, Jennifer Hudson, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Rod Stewart, Simply Red, Joni Mitchell, Don Henley, The Pussycat Dolls, Natalie Cole, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, Steve Vai, James Newton Howard, Patti LaBelle, The Pointer Sisters, among many others. Larry has had a long recording and touring association with five-time Grammy winner, Al Jarreau.

“Larry Williams’ versatility is amazing, his arranging is impeccable, and his playing is without peer.”
— Quincy Jones

“Larry’s horn section arrangement completely captured the vision and vibe I was looking for.”
— John Mayer

“Larry Williams brought his unique talents to ‘Off the Wall’, ‘Bad’ and ‘Thriller’.”
— Michael Jackson

“Larry Williams on keyboards, programmes and sax – what a wizard!! Brilliant!”
— Paul Young

“The brother plays his ass off …his arrangements are magical.”
— George Benson

“Larry Williams’ has played woodwinds, keyboards and arranged for me. I love his work.”
— Ron Fair, President, A&M/Geffen

“Larry Williams has been with me for 30 years. He’s my main man.”
— Al Jarreau

“Larry was an integral part of the George and Al CD …his contributions as an arranger and producer were invaluable.”
— John Burk, Exec. VP, A&R-Concord Records

“If you want a first rate musician on keyboards and sax, call Larry Williams.”
— Eric Clapton

67th Annual Grammy Awards

Played saxophone on the 67th Grammy Awards with Samara Joy, Janelle Monae and Rainey Wilson.

Al Jarreau Tribute

Featuring Chris Walker at Spaghettini’s, Long Beach, CA.

Al Jarreau Tribute

Featuring Chris Walker at Spaghettini’s, Long Beach, CA.

"Love After" - feature film

Commenced composing music for the upcoming feature film, "Love After" from MakeMagic Productions.

Quincy Jones’ 90th Birthday Celebration

Featured artist solo saxophone with Samara Joy.“Samara Joy’s rich performance was complemented by a riveting sax solo from Quincy Jones collaborator, Larry Williams”
— Billboard Magazine

Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts

Played piano with Brazilian artist Kleber Jorge’s quartet.

Steve Porcaro

Arranged and recorded horn section for Steve Porcaro’s new album featuring Michael McDonald.

Dominique Fillon

Recorded flute for video featuring Dominique Fillon and French All-star musicians.

"A Good American"

Did the music for the award-winning play by
Denise David-Williams. A globally-streamed production.

Panic! at the Disco

Played tenor sax in the horn section; eight songs recorded at East/West Studios with arranger Rob Mathes.

Jerry Manfredi

Arrangements for Jerry Manfredi recording, featuring Larry and Vinnie Colaiuta.

Randy Goodrum

Co-produced Randy Goodrum’s “Red Eye” album released in June 2020.

Al Jarreau Tribute

Featuring Chris Walker in Bethesda, MD.

Jorge Calendrelli

Synthesizer sound design for Jorge Calendrelli’s score for the Argentine film “The Devil’s Whip”.

Musicares Benefit, Netflix

Assembled horn section and played tenor sax on Musicares Benefit honoring Dolly Parton on Netflix. Featuring Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes, Willie Nelson, Don Henley and Kacey Musgraves. Played solo on “I Will Always Love You” with Yolanda Adams.

City Winery, NYC

Musical Director and performed with Alexandra Jackson and top Brazilian musicians at the City Winery, NYC.

Al Jarreau Tribute

Featuring Chris Walker at the Berks Jazz Festival in PA, Newport Beach, CA and DocFest in Houston, TX.

Zucchero

Arranged horns on the Don Was-produced, Zucherro album.

Quincy Jones’ 85th Birthday celebration

Played sax and flute for Quincy Jones’ 85th Birthday celebration televised from the Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, CA.
Featured artist on sax and flute with Bryan McKnight.

Le Duc des Lombards, Paris

Played sax and flute with French musicians led by Dominique Fillon at the renowned Parisien jazz club, Le Duc des Lombards.

Shelea’s PBS Special

Played keyboards and sax for Shelea’s PBS special featuring David Foster, Greg Philinganes, John Robinson and others.

Conservatoire de Chaville-Ville d’Avray

Taught masterclass at Conservatoire de Chaville-Ville d’Avray and performed with students.

Quincy Jones' 85th Birthday Celebration

Played tenor sax for the documentary, “Quincy”.

Alexandra Jackson

Played piano and sax with Alexandra Jackson in Atlanta and Rio.

Al Jarreau Tribute

Recorded basic tracks for the Jarreau tribute at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, TX.

FEBRUARY 12, 2017

FEBRUARY 12, 2017

At 5:30AM this morning, my dear friend passed away.For several decades, I have had the privilege of playing, composing and arranging music and traveling the world with my friend and musical partner, Al Jarreau.No one had a bigger heart and soul than Al. His talent was an incredible gift to the world, and he leaves behind an amazing legacy.Thank you everyone for your condolences & kind words.Much Love and Light to you all.– Larry

American Jazz Museum, Kansas City

Al Jarreau tour including playing at Al’s induction into the Kansas City Jazz Hall of Fame.

Tommy LiPuma Tribute

Featuring Larry on piano, Christian McBride, Louis Nash and Anthony Wilson in Tommy's birthplace, Cleveland, OH.

Alexandra Jackson

Produced/arranged/played keys/sax/flute with Alexandra Jackson in Rio with Brazil’s finest musicians and recorded two 60-piece orchestral arrangements.

Al Jarreau Tours

Capetown, South Africa.Ronnie Scott’s.Six weeks in Europe.South America - Buenos Aires, Argentina , Santiago,
Chile, "Rock In Rio" Concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr performs “Photograph” with LW horn section (Larry Hall, Nick Lane and Larry at the Grammy’s.Post- Grammys - taped "The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles."

Al Jarreau

Entire album “Jarreau”, performed at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho for three nights with eleven of London’s finest musicians.Al Jarreau world tour which included the New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Atlanta Symphony, and multiple dates in Hawaii, Brazil and Japan.

Steve Ferrone

Played sax with Steve Ferrone for his induction into Guitar Center Hall of Fame.

Seawind

Released Seawind “Your Love” single and video.

Placido Domingo

Musical Director for the Gala Concert honoring the Ziering family at the Saban Theatre, starring Placido Domingo and Melissa Manchester.

John Mayer

Arranged horns for John Mayer‘s new song “You Love Who You Love”, a duet with Katy Perry.

Randy Newman Score

Played sax for Randy Newman‘s score for Pixar’s "Monsters University".

Film score, "Imagine".

Played saxophone on film score starring Al Pacino, produced by Don Was.

Anita Baker

Arranged horn section for the song “Caribe” on the Anita Baker album on Blue Note Records. Don Was produced.Photo (r): Chuck Findley (trumpet), Bill Reichenbach (trombone, bass trb), Bill Liston (tenor sax, flute), Anita, Larry (tenor sax, flute, arranger).

Green Day

Green Day recording session; horns for “Brutal Love” arranged by Broadway’s, Tom Kitt.

Al Jarreau Tour

Concert with Al Jarreau at the Eastern European leaders Summit Gala in Ukraine.

Al Jarreau European Summer World Tour.

Al Jarreau private party performance in Hong Kong. Toured from Austria to Slovakia, ending at the Life Ball
in Vienna.

18th Annual Life Ball, Vienna Opera House

Europe’s largest charity event with President Bill Clinton, Antonio Banderas and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, benefitting the fight against HIV and AIDS; Performed a duet with Al Jarreau on “We’re in This Love Together” and accompanied Randy Crawford on “Imagine”.

Al Jarreau Tour

Al Jarreau tour reaches Russia, with performances in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Minsk, and Vilnius, Lithuania, followed by the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi.Symphony performance in Florida with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

College of Contemporary Music

Guest artist at the Musicians Institute of the College of Contemporary Music in California, guiding a band of Swedish scholarship students through the arrangement and performance of the Seawind track “He Loves You”.

Ivan Lins

Reunited with Latin Grammy-winner, Ivan Lin, at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco.

"Joyful Noise" soundtrack

Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah soundtrack recording sessions for the gospel-flavor film, "Joyful Noise", under the direction of multiple Grammy-winner, Mervyn Warren.

Seawind

Composing songs for a new Seawind album.

Concerto di Natale, Malta

Concerto di Natale, the Rai Due Christmas Eve concert, with Al Jarreau, Pino Daniele, and Skunk Anansie. Originally held at the Vatican, this concert series was awarded to Malta this year. Also featuring the National Philharmonic Orchestra, a group from the choir Voices, a children’s choir led by soprano Gillian Zammit, and Maltese soprano Maria Abela.

Al Jarreau Tour

Six-week world tour.

Michael Jackson's "THIS IS IT"

Michael Jackson movie/DVD “This Is It” released with original Seawind Horns and Williams’ synth parts.

Al Jarreau Tour

European Tour and Symphony Concerts.

Seawind

Seawind album “Reunion” – Co-Produced, composed, arranged, performed and engineered this Sony/Japan release.

Seawind Japan Tour – Tokyo and Osaka.

George Benson, Al Jarreau

“Al Jarreau Christmas” – Produced, arranged and recorded with Take 6, Jorge Calendrelli; Clare Fisher arrangements.

Benson/Jarreau Asian Tour.

George Duke

George Duke album “Dukey Treats” – tenor sax on 3 tracks.

Qunicy Jones 75th Birthday

Featured performer on piano and saxophone for Qunicy Jones' 75th Birthday Concert at Montreux Jazz Festival.

George Benson, Al Jarreau World Tour

US, Montreaux Jazz Festival and televised performance.

Seawind

Recorded 12 tracks for new release from reunited band Seawind.

Arturo Sandoval’s Mambo Band

Performance on sax at Hollywood Bowl with Arturo Sandoval’s Mambo Band.

Hairspray

Played sax on Marc Shaiman’s score for 2007 release of the movie, "Hairspray."

Micheal Bublé

Sax and flute for David Foster-produced 2007 release of Michael Bublé‘s “Call Me Irresponsible”.

George Benson/Al Jarreau

Co-Produced, Arranged and played keyboards on George Benson/Al Jarreau album “Givin’ It Up For Love” (Concord/Monster).Along with Benson and Jarreau, this historic pairing features Herbie Hancock, Patrice Rushen, Marcus Miller, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jill Scott, Patti Austin and Paul McCartney.Williams pulled this record together with John Burk of Concord Records. It was nominated for three Grammy’s and won two.US Tour  with George Benson and Al Jarreau.
World Tour with Al Jarreau.

48th Annual Grammy Awards

Woodwinds for Mary J. Blige performance.

Dreamgirls

Played sax on Jerry Hey-arranged, Academy Award-winning movie, "Dreamgirls", with R&B production team, The Underdogs: Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas.

Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau World Tour and session work with The Pussycat Dolls.Played US Symphony dates with Al Jarreau.

Al Jarreau

Arranged and played acoustic piano on Jarreau’s album, “Accentuate the Positive”.

Queen Latifah

Played sax with Queen Latifah on “The Dana Owens Album” and performed with her on the 46th Annual Grammy Awards.

Al Jarreau

World Tour and session work.

Seawind

Toured Japan with Seawind vocalist Pauline Wilson in support of Sony album “Larry Williams & Friends”.

44th Annual Grammy Awards

Played sax on "Lady Marmalade" with Christina Aguilera,
Patti La Belle, Pink, and Mýa.

Al Jarreau

Became Al Jarreau’s keyboardist/saxophonist beginning with a six-week Europe/US tour.

Completed solo album -" Larry Williams and Friends"

On SACD (Super Audio CD), released by Sony Japan with major promo push and in-store display. Features Seawind‘s lead singer, Pauline Wilson, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Carpenter, Al Jarreau and others.Engineered by Tommy Vicari.

Storm

Arranged the Latin-themed “Storm” show at the Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort, Las Vegas.

For Love or Country

Recorded HBO Movie Soundtrack "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story".

Quincy Jones

Live performances with Quincy Jones.

Christina Aguillera

Five orchestra arrangements and played woodwinds for Christina Aguillera‘s Christmas Special (ABC).Arranged Christina Aguilera‘s #1 hit “Genie in A Bottle” for Latin Grammy Awards and played sax.

Mýa

String arrangements for Mýa‘s pop ballad “Where The Dream Takes You” for the Disney film "Atlantis: The Lost Empire."
The Diane Warren-penned song is featured during the closing credits of the Disney animated feature.

Whitney Houston

Six week European tour on sax and keyboards with Whitney Houston.

Al Jarreau

Co-wrote, tracked and overdubbed Al Jarreau song, “Flame” for his recording “Tomorrow, Today”.

Keyboards and horns on smooth jazz by: Boney James, George Benson, Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Larry Carlton, Mark Antoine, Richard Elliot, Earth Wind and Fire, Vonda Shepard ("The Man With The Bag "on the Ally McBeal Christmas album), Vanessa Carlton, Gabrielle Anders, Norman Brown, Simply Red "(If You Don’t Know Me By Now"), Chaka Khan, Steve Tyrell (Tonight Show appearance), Samantha Mumba.

Quincy Jones

Reunited with Quincy Jones for Tamia‘s self-titled debut on Quest (released 1998) (Uncredited).

Lee Ritenour

World Tour with Lee Ritenour and alto sax, keyboards and flute on “This Is Love” sessions.

Michael Jackson

“History” recording in New York.

Big Mountain

Arranged horns, performed tenor sax and flute solo for #1 platinum hit, "Baby I Love Your Way", as featured in the film “Reality Bites”.

Go West

Arranged horns for the hit song, "What You Won’t Do For Love".

Al Jarreau

World Tour with Al Jarreau, including three Carnegie Hall dates.

Nelson Mandela Tribute

Nelson Mandela’s International Tribute For A Free South Africa, Wembley Stadium, played keyboards with George Duke’s
All- Star band with Anita Baker, Bonnie Raitt and Natalie Cole.The Highest-ever world rating for an entertainment broadcast, reaching 600 million viewers in 67 countries.

Montreax Jazz Festival

Montreax Jazz Festival band hosted by Quincy Jones.

Ivan Lins

Co-produced Brazilian superstar singer/composer Ivan Lins’ first English-language record “Love Dance”.

Boz Scaggs

Co-wrote and arranged "Claudia" from “Other Roads” on CBS.

Michael Jackson

Featured on keyboards and sax on "Bad", synth solo on "Speed Demon".

Al Jarreau

“This Time” – solo and keyboards on "Spain".

Manhattan Transfer

“Brasil” – arranged and performed four cuts featuring LW and Stan Getz.

Starship

Co-wrote with Grace Slick and Tommy Funderburk the rock track Babylon on Platinum release “No Protection”.

Eric Clapton

“August” produced by Phil Collins, keyboard programming with Greg Philinganes.

Running Scared

With Rod Temperton, co-wrote the soundtrack and score to the feature film, “Running Scared” , starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines.
Arranged and performed all parts on Michael McDonald‘s hit "Sweet Freedom", Klymaxx‘s "Man-Size Love", and Ready For the World‘s, "I Just Want To Be Loved".

Frank Sinatra

Played sax and flute on “L.A. is My Lady”, Los Angeles sessions for "Stormy Weather" album.

Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones conducting "L.A. is My Lady".

Sheila E

Sax solo on the Prince-produced song, “The Glamorous Life”.
The single features Sheila E. on percussion, Larry Williams on sax, and Prince on guitars, keyboards, etc.

Michael Jackson

Played tenor saxophone, flute and keyboards on “Thriller” -
the world’s biggest selling album of all time.

Chaka Khan

Keyboards, horn arrangements, tenor saxophone and flutes on the hit album “What’cha Gonna Do For Me”.

Aretha Franklin

String and horn arrangements for "Hold on, I’m Comin'" - Chaka's 11th Grammy-winning single.

Michael Jackson

Played saxophone and keyboards on “Off the Wall”.

Barbara Streisand

Arranged and performed woodwinds on three songs on “Songbird” including "You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore".

"The Simpsons" on Fox

Recorded saxophone as "Lisa" on The Simpsons, Season 1.

“Larry Williams’ versatility is amazing, his arranging is impeccable, and his playing is without peer.”
— Quincy Jones

“Larry Williams on keyboards, programmes and sax – what a wizard!! Brilliant!”
— Paul Young

“Larry Williams has been with me for 30 years. He’s my main man.”
— Al Jarreau

“Larry’s horn section arrangement completely captured the vision and vibe I was looking for.”
— John Mayer

“The brother plays his ass off …his arrangements are magical.”
— George Benson

“Larry was an integral part of the George and Al CD …his contributions as an arranger and producer were invaluable.”
— John Burk, Exec. VP, A&R-Concord Records

“Larry Williams brought his unique talents to ‘Off the Wall’, ‘Bad’ and ‘Thriller’.”
— Michael Jackson

“Larry Williams’ has played woodwinds, keyboards and arranged for me. I love his work.”
— Ron Fair, President, A&M/Geffen

“If you want a first rate musician on keyboards and sax, call Larry Williams.”
— Eric Clapton

Al Jarreau
Alphonse Mouzon
Aretha Franklin
Average White Band
Dave Grusin

David Foster
George Benson
Ivan Lins
Lee Ritenour

Quincy Jones
Rochelle Ferrell
Seawind
Whitney Houston

Al Jarreau
Al. B. Sure!
Amy Grant
Ana Gabriel
Andre Crouch
Anita Baker
Aretha Franklin
Barbara Streisand
Barry Manilow
B.B. King
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Bernie Taupin
Big Mountain
Bill Champlin
Bill Meyers
Boney James
Bonnie Raitt
Bob Somma & John Campbell
Boy Meets Girl
Boz Scaggs
Brenda Russell
Brian Bromberg
Brian Wilson
Carl Anderson
Carlos Santana
Chaka Khan
Cheryl Lynn
Christina Aguilera
Christopher Cross
Dave Wild
David Crosby
David Foster
David Sanborn
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Diane Schurr
Dianne Reeves
Dionne Warwick
Dirk Hamilton
Djavan
Dominic Bugatti & Frank Musker
Don Henley
Dr. John
Earth Wind And Fire
Eduardo Capetillo
Elton John
Eric Clapton
Eros Ramazzotti
Evelyn “Champagne” King
Everything But The Girl
Eye To Eye
Fee Waybill
Flora Purim
4Him
Fourplay
Frank Sinatra
Gabriela Anders
George Benson
George Duke
Gilberto Gil

Go West
Green Day
Harvey Mason
Heatwave
Hiroshima
Ivan Lins
James Ingram
James Newton Howard
Jeff Lorber
Jeffrey Osborne
Jennifer Holliday
Jennifer Warnes
Jermaine Stewart
Jody Watley
Joe Lamont
Joe Sample
John Hiatt
Johnny Mathis
Jon Anderson
Jon Bare
Jon Gibson
Joni Mitchell
Jude Cole
Juice Newton
Julio Iglesias
Kenji Omura
Kenny Loggins
Kenny Rogers
Lalah Hathaway
Larry Carlton
Larry Elgart
Larsen/Feiten Band
Laura Branigan
Lewis Cowdrey
Lionel Richie
Lit
Livingston Taylor
Lou Rawls
Lyle Lovett
Lynch Mob
Manhattan Transfer
Marlene de la Pena
Mary J Blige
Masanori Sasaji
Matthew Robinson
Melissa Manchester
Mezzoforte
Michael Bolton
Michael Buble
Michael Franks
Michael Mcdonald
Michael Jackson
Michael Wycoff
Miki Howard
Milton Nascimento
Minnie Riperton
Mitch Malloy
Mory Kanté
Mr. Mister

Mýa
Natalie Cole
Neil Diamond
Neil Larsen
New Frontier
Nik Kershaw
Pat Benatar
Patrice Rushen
Patti Austin
Patti LaBelle
Rick Braun
Rick Springfield
Rickie Lee Jones
Ringo Starr
Robert Hart
Roberta Flack
Rod Stewart
Roger Hodgson
Sadao Watanabe
Samantha Mumba
Seawind
Sheena Easton
Sheila E.
Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira
Spyro Gyra
Squeeze
Stacy Lattisaw
Starship
Steve Tyrell
Steve Vai
Stevie Nicks
Stix Hooper
Swing Out Sister
Tamia
Teena Marie
Tevin Campbell
The Brothers Johnson
The Commodores
The Crusaders
The Jacksons
The Pointer Sisters
The Pussycat Dolls
The Spinners
The Tubes
The Winans
The Yellowjackets
Toto
Tracy Chapman
Trefethen
Vanessa Carlton
Victor Feldman
Vivienne McKone
Vonda Shepard
Was (Not Was)
What If
Whitney Houston
Wilco
Wild Orchid

SmoothViews.com says — Pick up any CD that had a significant impact in the world of contemporary jazz. Chances are you will see Larry Williams’ name somewhere in the credits as a musician, producer, arranger, or composer. Now dig through your best pop albums. The ones that are keepers, not just passing fads or flashes in the pan. His name will probably show up on those liner notes too. Has anyone done as much big work without becoming a big name? Has anyone played on a larger collection of important recordings?

If you’ve seen Al Jarreau in concert you’ve probably seen him at work since he has been a part of Jarreau’s band for long periods of time over the last 30 years. If you saw the film “Dreamgirls,” you heard him playing sax and, this is big, he played on the albums that propelled Michael Jackson into superstardom.

He first got attention as a member of Seawind, one of the groundbreaking contemporary jazz bands that emerged during the mid seventies, the genre’s formative years. Since then his career in the contemporary jazz world has paralleled the evolution of the music and his versatility has made him one of the most in-demand session musicians on the scene.

Bassist Ken Wild, who was already deeply into jazz, joined the band and invited his friend Bob Wilson to leave Arizona and come play drums with them. They heard a singer named Pauline one night and invited her to be their vocalist. She eventually married Bob Wilson. Guitarist Bud Nuanez filled out the lineup. The band that would be Seawind (then named “Oz”) was playing pop songs in clubs but listening to a lot of the new contemporary jazz and fusion albums. It wasn’t the material that would get them gigs in clubs, and record companies were not sure how to market this music to a mass audience, so they were hesitant to seek it out — but that’s the direction they wanted to move toward.

After Harvey Mason saw them he got them to move to Los Angeles and helped set them up with a regular gig at the legendary Baked Potato. They were soon signed to CTI records and released the first of their four albums.

Quincy Jones heard them and started using the horn section on some of his projects. A session with the Brothers Johnson led to more work including Jones’ smash album The Dude and the Michael Jackson sessions that Jones produced. Lee Ritenour saw them and introduced them to Dave Grusin who hired Williams for movie work and and session work. This lead to his appearance on most of the albums that came out during GRP’s heyday. He played with Grusin, Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Dianne Schurr and others. Tommy LiPuma produced one of Seawind’s albums and brought Williams in to play on some of the exciting artists Warner Brothers was signing like George Benson, Michael Franks, Joni Mitchell, David Sanborn, The Yellowjackets, George Duke, The Manhattan Transfer, and Al Jarreau.

Williams grew up in Kansas City. His dad played sax and got him started on clarinet when he was eight. As it is with most of my favorite musicians, there was a Pat Metheny connection. He had the same teacher as Metheny and he played with Metheny’s brother Mike in the Kansas City Youth Symphony.

He headed for college in New Mexico but was encouraged to transfer to a better music program at Indiana University. While he was there he met Jerry Hey, who would also become a member of Seawind and the leader of a horn section that has been featured on thousands of recordings. His original specialty was woodwinds but he realized he would have a lot more opportunities to work if he became really good on multiple instruments and began to also focus on keyboards.

He and Hey got hired in the orchestras that were backing some of the middle 20th century’s biggest names – Glenn Campbell, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis and others. This didn’t go over well with some of their professors who had a more purist perspective so when Williams, Hey, and fellow student Kim Hutchcroft were offered a gig in Hawaii they jumped at the chance and left school behind.

He was in demand as a contemporary jazz session musician and if you are into mostly this music those are the liner notes where his name will jump out at you. He has said that breaking down boundaries in music and appreciating it without categorization is important to him and he has lived by that mantra. He has played with an all encompassing who’s who list of artists – Boz Scaggs, Whitney Houston, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, Stevie Nicks, Jefferson Starship, Kenny Loggins, Amy Grant, Barbara Streisand, BB King, Vanessa Carlton, Was Not Was,Toto, Rod Stewart, BB King, Earth Wind and Fire, and even Pink Floyd. You still hear him on adult contemporary radio playing sax on Big Mountain’s “Baby I Love Your Way” and Go West’s “What You Won’t Do For Love.” He also worked with Christina Aguilera on her Christmas Special and a Grammy Awards appearance and played sax and flute on Michael Buble’s Call Me Irresponsible.

Recently he has been doing a lot of work with Jarreau. He has been in Jarreau’s touring band on and off for over 30 years and continually since 2002. He co-produced, arranged, and played keyboards on the George Benson/Al Jarreau collaboration Givin’ It Up, produced and arranged Jarreau’s Christmas album, and is working with him on a new album that should take them into the studio late this year or early next year.

Through all of this he has never sought fame. He says that he likes playing with other musicians and has no desire to take center stage and be the star. He has been able to fulfill one long-time wish, a wish he shares with a lot of us who cut our teeth playing bands like Seawind on college radio stations back when this music was called “fusion.”

Seawind (self-titled)

Seawind’s debut album. The song The Devil Is a Liar earned the group a Grammy Award Nomination for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist and caused the whole music industry to take notice of Seawind and the Seawind Horns.

Available on iTunes!

1976

We Got A Way
You Gotta Be Willin’ To Lose (Part II)
He Loves You
The Devil Is A Liar
A Love Song / Seawind
Make Up Your Mind
Praise (Part I)
Roadways (Parts I & II)
Can’t Wait – Bonus Track on 2009 Japan CD
Please Say Yes – Bonus Track on 2009 Japan CD

Window of a Child

With Seawind’s second album, the group’s popularity continued to grow and they were voted Best New Jazz Group of 1977 by Record World Magazine. Seawind toured the country on their own getting rave reviews in New York, Philadelphia, Wash. D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix and of course, Hawaii! (Please don’t ask us about the fish on the cover! Let’s just put it this way – it was one of a million other things that led to us suing CTI and leaving the label!)

Available on iTunes!

1977

One Sweet Night
Wings Of Love
Do Listen To
Campanas De Invierno (Bells Of Winter)
Window Of A Child
Angel Of Mercy
Lovin’ You
Hallelujah
Countin’ The Days
Take Me In Love – Bonus Track on 2009 Japan CD
Heaven In Your Eyes – Bonus Track on 2009 Japan CD

Light The Light

Seawind’s third album gave birth to Seawind’s signature tune, Bob Wilson’s Follow Your Road. Produced by Tommy Lipuma and engineered by Al Schmitt, “Light the Light” won many new Seawind fans and the group performed before thousands as the opening act for the multi-platinum George Benson and Boz Scaggs. The same year, Seawind’s Pauline sang a duet with George Benson on the Grammy Award winning album “In Harmony”, and Seawind and George Benson co-headlined the now-legendary 1979 Hawaiian Islands Tour!

1979

Hold On To Love
Free
Sound Rainbow
Follow Your Road
Light The Light
Morning Star
Imagine
Enchanted Dance

Seawind

Produced by George Duke and engineered by Erik Zobler, the fourth album became the peak of Seawind’s success and recognition. A&M also produced a video of the song What Cha Doin’, which helped it become a top 10 hit, and Seawind was now on both the jazz and R&B charts of the major trades. The group tours Japan for a second time, performs in Manila, Philippines and stops in Hawaii for their annual home coming tour, performing on Kauai, The Big Island and Oahu.

1980

What Cha Doin’
The Two Of Us
Love Him, Love Her
Everything Needs Love
Shout
Still In Love
Pra Vosé
I Need Your Love
Long, Long Time

Remember

In 1995, thirteen years after dissolving, Seawind granted permission to Noteworthy Records to release five never-before-heard tracks recorded in the early 1980s. This peek at what could have been Seawind’s fifth album is accompanied by favorite songs from the first and second albums.

1995

He Loves You
Devil Is A Liar
Lovin’ You
We Got A Way
Window Of A Child
You Got To Be Willin’ To Lose
A Love Song/Seawind
Angel Of Mercy
Campanas De Invierno
Can’t Wait
Please Say Yes
Dream On
Take Me In Love
Heaven In Your Eyes
Roadways

Beautiful Struggle (Larry Williams & Friends)

Larry Williams & Friends’ album “Beautiful Struggle” was released by Sony Japan on high fidelity SACD (Super Audio CD) with a major promo push and in-store display. Among the friends are Grammy-winning vocalist Pauline Wilson (Seawind’s lead singer) on several tunes, and Al Jarreau. The album immediately became a collectors item due to the limited production runs of SACDs. Recorded with Sony’s “1-bit” DSD (Direct Stream Digital) technology.

Available on Apple Music

2001

Neferrtti In Blue & Green
Invitation
Soul Eyes
Beautiful Struggle
Grayheart
Inner Urge
Love Lost
Calling You
Round Midnight
Straight No Chaser

Tribute (Pauline Wilson)

Synthesizer and alto flute performed by Larry Williams, who also composed the string, flute, and horn arrangements.

2001

Rio De Janeiro Blue
Good Morning Heartache
Never Let Me Go
Sentimental Mood
When I Fall In Love
Nearness Of You
I Want To Be Around
Someone To Watch Over Me
Dindi

Somebody Loves You (Bob & Pauline Wilson)

The then-husband-and-wife duo of Bob & Pauline Wilson, both of Seawind, released a gospel/jazz album in 1981 on Myrrh Records. Pauline Wilson on lead vocals, Bob Wilson on drums & percussion, Ken Wild on bass, Bud Nuanez and Kevin Clark on guitar, Larry Williams on keyboards and Paulinho Da Costa on percussion. On horns are Larry Williams, Kim Hutchcroft, Jerry Hey and Bill Reichenbach.

1981

I’ll Keep My Eyes On Jesus
With Love In Your Eyes
Joyful Melody
Vision Power And Glory
You Can’t Hide
Somebody Loves You
Lullabye Of Love
In the Spirit
Jesus Is My Lord

Summer Nights (Marlene with Seawind)

Most of the Seawind group appears on this soulful collaboration between Filipina singer Marlene de la Pena and Seawind. Summer Nights was recorded in Los Angeles in May 1982. The album features Bob Wilson on drums and percussion, Larry Williams on acoustic piano, Rhodes piano, mini-Moog and Prophet 5 synths, Bud Nuanez on guitar, Ken Wild on bass, Kim Hutchcroft on alto saxophone and tenor saxophone.

1982

Summer Nights
I Could Dance Tonight
Semi-Forgotten Movie
Try
Good Enough For You
A Love Too Strong
Just Say I Love You
Let Yourself Go
My Song

Intuituion (Pauline Wilson)

Solo album by Seawind’s Pauline Wilson, including a new recording of Follow Your Road. Larry Williams on sax.

1994

Walking My Way To You
The Love Lives On
Intuition
Follow Your Road
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right
One Chance
Back Again, Back In Love
Deeper and Deeper
Stay
Mysterious/Colors of the Wind

Only You (Pauline Wilson)

An expanded version of Pauline Wilson’s solo album, with a pair of additional songs at the start and another pair at the end. Larry Williams on sax.

1997

Only You
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Walking My Way To You
The Love Lives On
Intuition
Follow Your Road
Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right
One Chance
Back Again, Back In Love
Deeper And Deeper
Stay
Mysterious / Colors Of The Wind
Last Christmas
Only You (Like A Chapel Version)