Detroit-bred Brandon Williams’ life has always included
music in some capacity. First as a listener, then as a musician, and
ultimately, as a producer. He is a musical architect that is quickly making his
name and stake as a front-runner in the music industry with the release of his
2014 debut album entitled XII featuring Robert Glasper, Jean Baylor (formerly
of Zhane’), Frank McComb, Nicholas Payton, Choklate, the Detroit Symphony
Orchestra and more. The album has received high praises from musical luminaries
such as Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick (Incognito), Chuckii Booker, Maysa Leak,
Ledisi, Rahsaan Patterson, Marion Meadows, Dianne Reeves, Sinbad, Will Downing,
Jill Scott and many others. He has also been personally endorsed as a great
producer by the legendary Quincy Jones.
On the music scene since he was 12, his career is quite
impressive. A direct protégé of Grammy and Billboard super producer Michael J.
Powell (Anita Baker), he is a powerhouse of musical knowledge and abilities,
receiving requests to perform, engineer, MD, arrange and produce around the
clock. Known as one of the premiere drummers on Detroit’s live music scene, he
is also known for being one of the “go-to music guys” in general because of his
gift to play numerous instruments and his versatile repertoire. In 2009, he
collaborated with Vickie Winans on “How I Got Over”. The album earned him 9
Stellar Awards nominations (winning one), a Grammy Award nomination, and a
NAACP Image Award. As a musician and producer he has worked alongside and lent
his hand to such artists as; Pharoahe Monch, Bobby Creekwater, Jadakiss, Dr.
Dre, Jazmine Sullivan, Foley (Miles Davis), Alchemist, Xzibit, Lin Rountree,
Barrett Strong, Jay Electronica, Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye, Minnie Ripperton),
Eminem, Onaje Allen Gumbs, Don Blackman, Bernard Wright, Jeymes Samuels, and
Ryan Leslie. His production work can also be heard in various television
commercials which include the 2011 AT&T “Swag/FLY ERRR” TV commercial, the
2015 “Honda Fit” TV commercial featuring ?uestlove (The Roots, The Tonight Show
Starring Jimmy Fallon), and the 2016 AT&T “Network Of You” spot featuring
Young Guru (Jay-Z).
At 37 years old, he is a tastemaker with an undeniable track
record. As an musician, he has performed with Musiq Soulchild, Chantae Cann
(Snarky Puppy), Talib Kweli, Dionne Ferris, Eric Roberson, Najee, Angie Stone,
Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Raheem DeVaughn, Keyon Harrold (Miles Ahead), Gordon
Chambers, Rance Allen, Ronnie McNair (The Four Tops) Kevin Toney, Kim Burrell,
Carvin Winans, Jaguar Wright, Derrick Hodge, Gene Dunlap, Johnny O’Neal, Geno
Young, Talib Kweli, Earnest Pugh, Millie Scott, Martha Reeves, The Last Poets,
Sy Smith, Zo!, Carmen Rodgers, Conya Doss, Mike Phillips, and Sherry Scott,
formerly of Earth, Wind & Fire. He’s also opened for some of the industry’s
finest including; Faith Evans, Morris Day and The Time, Jose James, The Isley
Brothers, Angela Winbush, Janelle Monae, George Duke, Liv Warfield, Regina
Belle, P.J. Morton (Maroon 5), Joe Sample, Norman Brown, and Jonathan
Butler, just to name a few.
Performing with national tours, and with his own bands, he’s
graced the stages of Detroit’s premier venues, and he’s also had national
exposure at hot spots such as the legendary Bitter End in NYC, the Variety
Playhouse in Atlanta, City Winery, and the House of Blues in Dallas. As a
producer, Brandon has worked in studios across the world from New York, to The
Caribbean and even South Africa. Because of his plethora of abilities, he has
acquired the respect of many legendary artists that he now calls friends
including; the late artists George Duke, Ricky Lawson, and James ‘J. Dilla’
Yancey, along with Denaun Porter, George Clinton, Lalah Hathaway, Karriem
Riggins, Randy Crawford and a host of others. He’s also recorded with the
legendary Stevie Wonder.
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