Evento

Jack Williams in concert at Sundilla

Jack Williams returns to Sundilla on Friday, January 15; showtime at the AUUF is 7:30. Admission at the door will be $15, but $12 advance tickets are available at Spicer's Music, Mama Mocha's Coffee, Blooming Colors, and online at www.sundillamusic.com. Even bigger discounts are available by purchasing a Sundilla Season Pass, which will get you into every 2016 Sundilla concert held at the AUUF; additional details about the Season Passes are also available on our website.

Many who are familiar with the work of Jack Williams stopped reading after the first sentence; they already know how incredible his concerts are, and are now busy making plans to be at the show. The title of "legend" is thrown around far too loosely, but every so often, it's a perfect fit. Such is the case with Jack Williams, a longtime Sundilla favorite who never fails to dazzle the audience with his great songs, wonderful voice, and dazzling guitar playing. Oh, that guitar playing; the accolades for his picking could fill a page all by themselves. Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) calls him "the best guitar player I've ever heard," and that's just one of many similar raves.

The music of Jack Williams, rooted in his native South Carolina, was shaped by a 54-year career of playing folk, rock, jazz, R&B, classical and the popular music of the 30s, 40s and 50s. He is counted among the most dynamic performers on today's "folk" circuit - "...one of the most enlightened and entertaining performers I've ever encountered", said Dave Humphreys of Two-Way Street Coffeehouse in Downer's Grove, IL. Jack is considered a "musician's musician", an uncommonly unique guitarist, a writer of vivid songs with a strong sense of place, and a storyteller in an old Southern tradition who further illustrates each tale with his guitar. Rich Warren of WFMT Chicago's The Midnight Special said, "His artistry is nothing short of amazing". Vic Heyman, in SING OUT!, wrote, "He is one of the strongest guitar players in contemporary folk."

Avoiding the compromises of the commercial music industry during his 50+-year professional career, Jack prefers touring under the radar, playing concerts, large and small, week in and week out, from the sheer love of music and performing. Jack is a sought-after artist on all contemporary acoustic music stages, from coffeehouses and festivals to music halls and city arts stages. From acclaimed appearances at the Newport, Boston, Philadelphia, Kerrville, New Bedford SummerFest Folk Festivals, his musicianship, songs, stories and commanding presence have established him as an uncommonly inspiring and influential performer.

Jack frequently shares his musical knowledge with others. In addition to leading numerous workshops as he tours the country, he has been on the staff of The Swannanoa Gathering in NC, Lamb's Songwriter Retreat in MI, The Folk Project in NJ, WUMB's Summer Acoustic Music Week in NH, and co-hosts a semi-annual Music Workshop Weekend near his home in the Ozarks.

Jack has nine CDs of original music on the Wind River (Folk Era) label, the newest being "Four Good Days", plus his DVD "High Cotton", a video collection of on-stage performances. An additional CD, "Don't Let Go", is a collection of cover songs reflecting major influences on his musical development. Jack has produced all of his own recordings plus CDs by Mickey Newbury, Ronny Cox, Eric Schwartz, and others.

His songs have been recorded by artists ranging from Tom Jones and David Clayton-Thomas to Chuck Pyle, Cindy Mangsen, Ronny Cox and Lowen & Navarro. In addition to his solo career, as a guitarist he has accompanied such luminaries as Tom Paxton, Peter Yarrow, Mickey Newbury and Harry Nilsson.

Jack Williams is a musician's musician; he's also a guitar player's guitar player, a songwriter's songwriter, and a performer who cannot be adequately described; he must be experienced. The next chance to have that experience will be Friday, January 15, when Jack Williams returns to Sundilla. Showtime at the AUUF is 7:30; admission at the door is $15, but $12 advance tickets are available at Spicer's Music, Mama Mocha's Coffee, Blooming Colors, and online at www.sundillamusic.com. We'll have free coffee, tea, water and food available, but attendees are invited to bring whatever food or beverage they prefer.