Draft:Lori A. Williams

Lori Anne Williams (b. January 22, 1967; professionally known as Lori Williams) is an American jazz singer-songwriter and music educator / choral director originally from Washington, DC. She is the founder and executive director of the non-profit arts and mentorship organization Positive Music for Positive Minds, Inc., founded during her tenure at Woodrow Wilson High School in the District of Columbia Public Schools.

Early life and education
Williams is a graduate of Hampton University (HU)  and received a BA in Mass Media Communications in 1988. During her time at HU, she was the Jazz Program Director for her college radio station, WHOV-FM and entered the Budweiser Showdown (winning 2nd place for her original song – What Have I Found In You – which she later recorded on her sophomore album – ‘Eclipse of the Soul’. She also appeared on “Showtime At The Apollo” singing Summertime and placing second. After graduating from HU, Lori attended Trinity College and the University of the District of Columbia studying Music Education.

Career
Beginning her music career at WYCB Radio (Washington, DC), Dimensions Unlimited Entertainment (Washington, DC), and Capitol Records/CEMA Distributions (Laurel, MD), she later relocated to Atsugi, Japan and performed with Ellie Saitoh and the Love Tambourines in 1993. She directed various gospel and vocal jazz choirs internationally, including the Best Friends Foundation National Diamond Girls Jazz Choir (founded by Elayne Bennett, wife of former United States Secretary of Education William Bennett), and the Sagamihara Christian Fellowship Choirs (Japan). Upon her return stateside, Williams was the Director of Vocal Music at Woodrow Wilson High School (now Jackson-Reed High School) in Washington, DC. She taught in the District of Columbia Public Schools for 27 years and her choirs won national awards through the Heritage Festival and WorldStrides Onstage Programs for their choral performances. Under her direction, the choirs performed at venues like The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Ronald Reagan National Airport, NBC-4 and DAR Constitution Hall.

Williams is an award-winning veteran music educator, Helen Hayes nominated musical theatre actress, international recording artist,  radio producer/host at JazzRadioWETF.org, entertainment producer at St. James Live ATL for her series Sunday Jazz Lounge, and jazz clinician and artist in residence at universities. She is the founder and executive director of Positive Music for Positive Minds, Inc. (PMPM), a non-profit music organization based in Atlanta for youth that focuses on positivity, mentorship and social uplift via the arts. The organization has garnered support from national artists and organizations like the late guitarist and Father of Go-Go Chuck Brown, Step Afrika!, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Education Division, Old Dominion University Jazz Department, and DC Public Schools.

Lori Williams has recorded several independent albums and works with many well-known artists worldwide.

Awards
Lori Williams is a recipient of numerous educational and arts awards including the following:


 * 2000 – Outstanding Music Teacher in the National Association for Music Education's Teaching Music magazine (October issue)
 * 2007 – DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Superintendent's Arts Teacher of the Year
 * 2010 – Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year (District of Columbia Public Schools)
 * 2010 – Helen Hayes Award (The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical - Cool Papa’s Party)
 * 2013 - DC Metro Theatre Arts Best Of List: Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical, Ladies Swing the Blues
 * 2014 – Helen Hayes Award (Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical for her role as Ella Fitzgerald in the musical Ladies Swing the Blues)
 * 2018 - Number 1 on the UK Soul Chart’s Top 30 (UKSoulChart.com)
 * 2019 - The Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation's D.C. Jazz Leaders in Service Award
 * 2021 – W.A.M. (Washington Area Music Association) R&B / Soul Awards Nominee
 * 2022 – LIT Music Awards / International Awards Associate Platinum winner for her music and video – “Too Late (It’s My Time)” - in two categories: Best Audience Impact Music Video and Best Original Song Music Video
 * 2022 – Lifetime Achievement Award Winner (Come and Get It Awards)
 * 2022 – Selected as Jazz Artist-in-Residence at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
 * 2023 – National Hampton University Alumni Association – Atlanta Chapter honoree for Excellence in Arts & Entertainment and served as the university’s Grand Marshal
 * 2024 – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. / National Arts and Letters Commission recognition

LoriJazz CDs:

 * Healing Within (2010)
 * Eclipse of the Soul (2012)
 * Behind the Smiles (2016)
 * Full Circle (2019) Single
 * Amazing Grace (Now I See) (2021) Single
 * Too Late (It's My Time) (2022) [Tying for #1 – Smooth Jazz Most Added on Billboard Week of June 13, 2022]
 * Take My Wings (2023)

Lori Williams publications and creative works

 * Mike Stephens Project / Half Past Autumn (1999)
 * JuJu / Black Face (2003)
 * Honey Love: Smooth Jazz Plays R. Kelly (2005)
 * Kim Waters / All For Love (2005)
 * Maysa / Sweet Classic Soul (2006) -

"Maysa Charts Search". Billboard.


 * Saltman-Knowles Quintet / It’s About the Melody (2007)
 * Saltman Knowles / Return of the Composer (2009)
 * Collaboration / Because of You (2009)
 * Groove Skool Band feat. Lori Williams / Vanessa in the Springtime (2010) Single
 * Groove Skool Band feat. Lori Williams / Dekalb & Flatbush (2010)
 * Saltman Knowles Group / Yesterday’s Man (2010)
 * Allyn Johnson & Divine Order (2010)
 * Allyn Johnson & Divine Order / Transforming Journey (2012)
 * Benjie Porecki featuring Lori Williams / A Child Is Born (I'll Be Home For Christmas) (2012)
 * The Blackbyrds / Gotta Fly (2012)
 * Lisa Levine / Sowing Seeds (2013)
 * Tony P. featuring Lori Williams / Pop the Bubbly (2013) (Single)
 * Tracey Cutler / The Path (2015)
 * Saltman Knowles / Almost (2016)
 * Christian Havel Quintet with Vocal Guest Lori Williams / 13.03: Thirteen "O" Three (2016)
 * Donnell Josiah / Journeys (2018)
 * Vertical Zar / Ancient Cloud (2019)
 * Yishai Knoll and Lori Williams / Always There Will Be More Time (2021) (Single)
 * Saltman Knowles / Native Speaker (2022)
 * John Paul McGee / A Gospejazzical Christmas (2023)
 * Tim Hutson featuring Lori Williams / Mind Over Matter (2024) - Top 30 Smooth Jazz Billboard Chart, Smooth Jazz Billboard Hot 100 Chart

Publications and creative works

 * Best Friends Foundation Curriculum - Diamond Girls Journal Organizer © 2004 – Fifth Edition, Contributor/Editor
 * Best Men Leadership - Journal Organizer © 2004 – Fifth Edition, Contributor/Editor
 * Best Friends Foundation Newsletter – Heart to Heart © 2002; © 2003, Contributor/Editor
 * Best Men Theme Chant / Written and arr. by Lori Anne Williams © 2001
 * Make Music Not Madness: theme song / Written and arr. by Lori Anne Williams © 2004

Musicals

 * 2005 - The All Night Strut, MetroStage
 * 2005 - Meet Me At The Cafe, Joy of Motion Dance Center - Jack Guidone Theatre, Arts United of Washington
 * 2006 - The Scenic Route, Joy of Motion Dance Center - Jack Guidone Theatre, Arts United of Washington
 * 2008 - Isn't It Romantic?, MetroStage
 * 2009 - Cool Papa's Party, MetroStage
 * 2010 - Glimpses of the Moon, MetroStage
 * 2013 - Ladies Swing the Blues, MetroStage
 * 2015 - Bessie's Blues, MetroStage
 * 2016 - Shake Loose, MetroStage
 * 2017 - Fool in Love, Live Garra Theatre

Personal life
Williams is a mother of two children (Lauren Vanessa / Lavahi and Yusef Khalil).