Meet Lori Williams | International Recording Artist, Music Educator, and Executive Director for Positive Music for Positive Minds, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lori Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lori, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I taught in the DC Public Schools system for over 25 years as a Vocal Music Educator and Choral Director. Through creating lesson plans and receiving feedback from my students, I discovered that our young people admired professional artists in the entertainment industry and were influenced by their lyrical content. It is critical that our young people have positive musical choices; and I wanted to give them an opportunity to create, analyze and share their thoughts among their peers. I was commissioned to present my concept.for Positive Music for Positive Minds at my high school and then redeveloped the platform for my business when I moved to Georgia.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a professional Jazz vocalist and vocal music educator. In recent years, I have branched out to other genres, particularly contemporary Jazz and R&B/Soul, charting #1 on the UK Soul Chart in 2018. I am also a songwriter, producer, and musical theater actress. As an educator for over 25 years, I have received many honors including Outstanding Music Teacher in the October 2000 issue of Teaching Music, the 2007 Superintendent’s Arts Teacher of the Year Award, and the 2010 Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year. As a performing artist, I was nominated for a 2014 Helen Hayes Award as an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical for my role as Ella Fitzgerald in “Ladies Swing the Blues: A Jazz Fable” (written and directed by Thomas W. Jones). I have received letters of recognition for my performances by (former Vice President) President Joseph Biden, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and Maryland Senator C. Anthony Muse. President Biden said in his letter of commendation that I have “the voice of an angel”. (https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4456875/user-clip-vice-president-shout) Having a career that spans over 30 years, I’ve worked with many notable artists including: Oleta Adams, Yolanda Adams, David Archuleta, Bob Baldwin, The Blackbyrds, Norman Brown, Tom Browne, Peabo Bryson, Jerry Butler, Jonathan Butler, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gene Chandler, Stanley Clarke, Will Downing, George Duke, Nathan East, Slide Hampton, Christian Havel, Winard Harper, Walter Hawkins, Howard Hewett, Stanley Jordan, Ben E. King, Maysa, Najee, Phil Perry, Lloyd Price,Tony Terry, Angela Winbush, Kim Waters, Vesta Williams, Sherry Winston, and others.

I am most excited about the opportunity to share my business and music with listeners worldwide. Although the pandemic has limited our face-to-face interactions, I have acquired students and new supporters internationally. via my online presentations and classes.

I initially planned to work in the field of Mass Media Communications (either in radio, print or television); but my career began at Dimensions Unlimited Entertainment (Washington, DC) and Capitol Records/CEMA Distributions (Laurel, MD). I then moved to Japan, and lived there for five years working in DODDS directing the Sagamihara Christian Fellowship Choirs, and performing. Upon my return, I began teaching music in DC Public Schools. In 2019, After the death of my parents, I left Washington, DC and moved to Georgia with my son who is now 13 years old. The transition was difficult because it occurred during the pandemic and my gigs were canceled or postponed for 2022. Thanks to grants and online teaching access, I have begun to revamp my partnerships and instruction for my businesses. I am also anticipating performance opportunities post COVID.

I have learned that when faced with challenges, don’t quit. Try to find other ways to build your revenue and share your brand.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I am fairly new to the city, I would recommend a night out at City Winery in Atlanta. I have been blessed to perform there with Bob Baldwin and had the chance to perform at their club in Washington, DC. I also enjoy the eclectic, vintage vibe of Little Five Points. There are lots of great places to eat and shop. And if weather permits, I would spend time at Sweetwater Creek or Red Top Mountain State Park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give recognition to my Hampton University college professors – Dr. Effie Gardner and Robert Ransom. They were instrumental in introducing and nurturing me in vocal jazz. I would also like to give a shoutout to my children Lauren (LAVAHI) and Yusef Khalil who continue to encourage and support me in my musical and business endeavors. Finally, I would like to recognize Bob Baldwin, my #1 partner in all things good.

Website: http://lorijazz.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriwilliams_lorijazz/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-lorijazz%C2%AE-williams-5885781

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lorijazz22

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoriJazzWilliams

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/user/lorijazz22/

Image Credits
Roy Cox Photography – Professional cover photos Grover Massenburg – (photo of me in the gold dress at City Winery, DC) Chris Drukker – (photo of me in the tiger print dress)