Gary Williams (singer)
Encyclopedia
Gary Williams is a jazz and easy listening singer.
Gary Williams started his career in social clubs before performing with the BBC Big Band
on BBC Radio Humberside
. This led to appearances on BBC Radio 2’s Big Band Special
, BBC television’s Pebble Mill at One
with David Jacobs
, and Gloria Hunniford's 'Open House
' with Burt Bacharach
. He played the role of Frank Sinatra for the West End show 'The Rat Pack
' for 150 performances at the Haymarket Theatre
, the Adelphi Theatre
, and subsequent UK and European tours. He performed for HRH The Prince of Wales
at Buckingham Palace
and was invited to a reception by the Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown at 10 Downing Street
in acknowledgement of his work for The Caron Keating Foundation.
In 2006 he performed in BBC1’s 'Doctor Who - A Celebration'
concert with David Tennant
and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
with the BBC National Chorus of Wales conducted by Ben Foster
. In 2007 he recorded two songs for the soundtrack of the Warner Bros’ motion picture ‘Mrs Ratcliffe’s Revolution
’.
He has performed in cabaret at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
, The Pheasantry, privately for theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh
and with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He is a regular soloist in the concert hall with the CBSO, RSNO
, Halle Orchestra, RLPO, BBC Concert Orchestra
(for Friday Night Is Music Night), Lahti Symphony Orchestra
, Northern Sinfonia
, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
.
As a regular headliner on cruise ships he been a contributor for BBC Radio 4's Excess Baggage and The Stage newspaper.
In 2004 he recorded ‘Alone Together’ with the John Wilson Orchestra
at Abbey Road Studios
. He returned to the studios for ‘In the Lounge with Gary Williams’ and ‘Swingin’ on Broadway’ both recorded with his own band. Highlights of these three albums featured on ‘Gary Williams –The Best of Abbey Road’ released in 2010. Also in 2010 he released ‘Gary Williams Meets Frank Sinatra’ recorded with Chris Dean and his orchestra which was award Jazz FM's album of the week. In 2011 he released 'Let There Be Love - A Celebration of Nat King Cole with the James Pearson Trio'. Recorded live in 2003, it lay forgotten about until rediscovered late 2010.
Gary Williams started his career in social clubs before performing with the BBC Big Band
BBC Big Band
The BBC Big Band, originally known as the BBC Radio Big Band is a British big band run under the auspices of the BBC. Widely regarded as the UK’s leading and most versatile jazz orchestra, the band broadcasts exclusivley on BBC Radio, particularly on BBC Radio 2's long running series Big Band Special...
on BBC Radio Humberside
BBC Radio Humberside
BBC Radio Humberside is a BBC Local Radio service covering the area of the former English county of Humberside, which was returned to North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire the East Riding of Yorkshire and the City of Kingston upon Hull on 1 April 1996....
. This led to appearances on BBC Radio 2’s Big Band Special
Big Band Special
Big Band Special is a BBC Radio 2 series which launched in 1979 as a showcase for the BBC Big Band in session and in concert. Big Band Special is a 30 minute programme broadcast on Monday nights at 9.30pm and has been presented by Clare Teal since April 2006...
, BBC television’s Pebble Mill at One
Pebble Mill at One
Pebble Mill at One was a popular British lunchtime chat show broadcast live originally on BBC2 before transferring to BBC1. It was produced from the Pebble Mill facilities of BBC Birmingham, and uniquely was hosted from the centre's main reception area rather than a traditional studio...
with David Jacobs
David Jacobs (disc jockey)
David Lewis Jacobs CBE is a British actor and broadcaster who gained prominence as presenter of the peak-time BBC Television show Juke Box Jury and the BBC Radio 4 political forum, Any Questions?-Early career:...
, and Gloria Hunniford's 'Open House
Open House with Gloria Hunniford
Open House with Gloria Hunniford was an afternoon television show broadcast on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2003. It was presented by Gloria Hunniford and focused on lifestyle, cookery, and human interest issues. It was broadcast five days a week from Monday to Friday....
' with Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
Burt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
. He played the role of Frank Sinatra for the West End show 'The Rat Pack
The Rat Pack: Live From Las Vegas
The Rat Pack - Live From Las Vegas is a stage musical produced by Flying Music Ltd. that retells the tale of the big three of the Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr...
' for 150 performances at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
, the Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a 1500-seat West End theatre, located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The present building is the fourth on the site. The theatre has specialised in comedy and musical theatre, and today it is a receiving house for a variety of productions, including many musicals...
, and subsequent UK and European tours. He performed for HRH The Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
and was invited to a reception by the Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown at 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
in acknowledgement of his work for The Caron Keating Foundation.
In 2006 he performed in BBC1’s 'Doctor Who - A Celebration'
Doctor Who: A Celebration
Doctor Who: A Celebration was a concert performed for the BBC's annual Children In Need charity appeal at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on 19 November 2006. It featured suites of incidental music composed by Murray Gold from the first two series of the revived television show Doctor Who,...
concert with David Tennant
David Tennant
David Tennant is a Scottish actor. In addition to his work in theatre, including a widely praised Hamlet, Tennant is best known for his role as the tenth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, along with the title role in the 2005 TV serial Casanova and as Barty Crouch, Jr...
and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is a Welsh symphony orchestra and one of the BBC's five professional orchestras. The BBC NOW is the only professional symphony orchestra organisation in Wales, occupying a dual role as both a broadcasting orchestra and national orchestra.The BBC NOW has its...
with the BBC National Chorus of Wales conducted by Ben Foster
Ben Foster (orchestrator)
Ben Foster is a British composer, orchestrator and conductor who is best known for his work as an orchestrator on the BBC series Doctor Who.- Career :...
. In 2007 he recorded two songs for the soundtrack of the Warner Bros’ motion picture ‘Mrs Ratcliffe’s Revolution
Mrs Ratcliffe's Revolution
Mrs Ratcliffe's Revolution is a 2007 British comedy drama film, directed by Bille Eltringham and starring Catherine Tate, Iain Glen and Brittany Ashworth, about a British family who move to East Germany in 1968, during the Cold War...
’.
He has performed in cabaret at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club is a jazz club which has operated in London since 1959.The club opened on 30 October 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in London's Soho district. It was managed by musicians Ronnie Scott and Pete King. In 1965 it moved to a larger venue nearby at 47 Frith Street...
, The Pheasantry, privately for theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh
Cameron Mackintosh
Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh is a British theatrical producer notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York...
and with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He is a regular soloist in the concert hall with the CBSO, RSNO
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is Scotland's national symphony orchestra. Based in Glasgow, the 89-member professional orchestra also regularly performs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, and abroad. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company has performed full-time since 1950,...
, Halle Orchestra, RLPO, BBC Concert Orchestra
BBC Concert Orchestra
The BBC Concert Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London, one of the British Broadcasting Corporation's five radio orchestras. With around fifty players, it is the only one of the five which is not a full-scale symphony orchestra....
(for Friday Night Is Music Night), Lahti Symphony Orchestra
Lahti Symphony Orchestra
The Lahti Symphony Orchestra is a Finnish orchestra, based in the city of Lahti. It was founded in 1910 and placed under the control of the Lahti municipality in 1949. In Finland the orchestra performs in the Sibelius Hall, while it also performs abroad in concert halls and festivals...
, Northern Sinfonia
Northern Sinfonia
The Northern Sinfonia is a British chamber orchestra, based initially in Newcastle upon Tyne, and currently in Gateshead. For the first 46 years of its history, the orchestra gave the bulk of its concerts at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2004, the orchestra has been resident at The...
, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia. It has 100 permanent musicians. Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia...
, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra was founded as a 17 player radio ensemble in 1936, in Adelaide, South Australia. The orchestra reformed in 1949 as the 55 member South Australian Symphony Orchestra. It reverted to its original and present title, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, in late 1974, and...
for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is one of the two full time professional orchestras in Ireland that are part of RTÉ, the national broadcasting station. Since its formation as the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra in 1948, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, has grown from a small studio-based recording group to...
.
As a regular headliner on cruise ships he been a contributor for BBC Radio 4's Excess Baggage and The Stage newspaper.
In 2004 he recorded ‘Alone Together’ with the John Wilson Orchestra
John Wilson Orchestra
The John Wilson Orchestra was formed by British orchestral conductor John Wilson in 1994. A lush symphonic orchestra built around a jazz big band, it is renowned for resurrecting the original arrangements, which John Wilson himself has re-created, of MGM musicals and the works of Rodgers and...
at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
. He returned to the studios for ‘In the Lounge with Gary Williams’ and ‘Swingin’ on Broadway’ both recorded with his own band. Highlights of these three albums featured on ‘Gary Williams –The Best of Abbey Road’ released in 2010. Also in 2010 he released ‘Gary Williams Meets Frank Sinatra’ recorded with Chris Dean and his orchestra which was award Jazz FM's album of the week. In 2011 he released 'Let There Be Love - A Celebration of Nat King Cole with the James Pearson Trio'. Recorded live in 2003, it lay forgotten about until rediscovered late 2010.