Kimo Williams
Encyclopedia
Kimo Williams is a Chicago based musician, composer and professor who plays with a number of bands including Kimotion and the Lt. Dan Band
. While he is best known for his work with the Lt. Dan Band, Williams has worked on a number of other projects including: award-winning photography, releasing four CDs, writing a screenplay and working on an opera. Cognizant of the opportunities he had, as well as those he didn't due to a childhood in which he moved often, Williams speaks to students about his history and their future.
After leaving Vietnam in 1970, Kimo used his GI Benefit and attended the Berklee College of Music
. While a student he founded The Paumalu Symphony, now known as Kimotion. After teaching at Berklee for one year, he graduated in 1976 with a BA in Composition. His compositions include works for chamber ensembles and orchestras and have been performed by groups worldwide including the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Sinfonietta. In 1997, Williams wrote the music for the Steppenwolf Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire, leading to his partnership with Gary Sinise
and, in 2003, the creation of the Lt. Dan Band
. In 2008, Williams' Fanfare for Life was performed during the Alabama Symphony's annual musical tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Williams' departure from Vietnam did not signify the end of his military career, in January 1980, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army
. When he left the army in 1987 to pursue composing full-time he had risen to the rank of Captain. Further, his graduation from Berklee signified the beginning of his time in education and Williams is now a Coordinator/Faculty Advisor for Music Business at Columbia College
in Chicago, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1989.
In 1999, he received the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra's Composer Award and has been the recipient of honors from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Savannah Symphony Orchestra. Buffalo Soldiers, one of his most well-known works, was the result of a commission by The West Point Academy to celebrate their 2002 Bicentennial.
In 2007 he was named a Fulbright Specialist for his works in music, education and history.
Lt. Dan Band
The Lt. Dan Band is a cover band founded by Kimo Williams and Gary Sinise who have worked together since a Steppenwolf production of A Streetcar Named Desire. The band is named after the character Lieutenant Dan Taylor, whom Sinise portrayed in the film Forrest Gump...
. While he is best known for his work with the Lt. Dan Band, Williams has worked on a number of other projects including: award-winning photography, releasing four CDs, writing a screenplay and working on an opera. Cognizant of the opportunities he had, as well as those he didn't due to a childhood in which he moved often, Williams speaks to students about his history and their future.
Biography
One of Williams' earliest, and most often cited, musical opportunities was in Vietnam when an Army entertainment director heard him play and suggested that he perform for the troops in the field. The Soul Coordinators was born of this request and started Kimo Williams' long resume of performances, both with bands and on his own.After leaving Vietnam in 1970, Kimo used his GI Benefit and attended the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
. While a student he founded The Paumalu Symphony, now known as Kimotion. After teaching at Berklee for one year, he graduated in 1976 with a BA in Composition. His compositions include works for chamber ensembles and orchestras and have been performed by groups worldwide including the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Sinfonietta. In 1997, Williams wrote the music for the Steppenwolf Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire, leading to his partnership with Gary Sinise
Gary Sinise
Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
and, in 2003, the creation of the Lt. Dan Band
Lt. Dan Band
The Lt. Dan Band is a cover band founded by Kimo Williams and Gary Sinise who have worked together since a Steppenwolf production of A Streetcar Named Desire. The band is named after the character Lieutenant Dan Taylor, whom Sinise portrayed in the film Forrest Gump...
. In 2008, Williams' Fanfare for Life was performed during the Alabama Symphony's annual musical tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Williams' departure from Vietnam did not signify the end of his military career, in January 1980, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. When he left the army in 1987 to pursue composing full-time he had risen to the rank of Captain. Further, his graduation from Berklee signified the beginning of his time in education and Williams is now a Coordinator/Faculty Advisor for Music Business at Columbia College
Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is one of the largest art colleges in the United States with nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees within 120 undergraduate and graduate programs...
in Chicago, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1989.
Honors
Kimo Williams was named Chicagoan of the Year in 2006 and was recognized for a lifetime of work including the 1998 founding of the United States Vietnam Art Program.In 1999, he received the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra's Composer Award and has been the recipient of honors from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Savannah Symphony Orchestra. Buffalo Soldiers, one of his most well-known works, was the result of a commission by The West Point Academy to celebrate their 2002 Bicentennial.
In 2007 he was named a Fulbright Specialist for his works in music, education and history.