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Guitarist, Storyteller and Songwriter, Jack Williams brings his Southern-Style Music to Blue Moon Cafe
Sunday, January 20th, Jack Williams will be in concert at the Blue Moon Cafe. A South Carolinian, Williams is a guitarist, singersongwriter and storyteller whose skill, depth and integrity stand head and shoulders above the many performers in today’s folk circuit. Among acoustic guitarists he is near-legendary. Having avoided the compromises of the commercial music industry during his 45 year career, he prefers touring "under the radar" playing concerts, large and small, week in, week out, for the sheer love of music and performing. A highly sought-after artist, he has produced six CDs of original music.
As a guitarist, he accompanied Tom Paxton, Peter Yarrow, Mickey Newbury and Harry Nilsson. Once invited onstage by Arlo Guthrie, he then joined the group for their concert encores.
Early in his career, Jack was best-known as an electric guitarist in original rock bands and acoustic ensembles. Then, in the late 60's, he gave in to his troubadour nature and began performing solo - singing and playing a gut-string guitar and touring from coast to coast. Before beginning to write in 1970, Jack was inspired by the varied likes of Jesse Winchester, Josh White, Hank Williams, Johnny Mercer, and Ray Charles. And, when the spirit moves him today, songs from favorite writers spring readily from his lips and fingers.
Peter Yarrow calls Jack "the best guitar-player I've ever heard." As a guitarist in the Deep South of the Civil Rights-Easy Rider 60's, Jack worked shows with John Lee Hooker, Big Joe Turner, Jerry Butler, Z.Z. Hill, Hank Ballard and others. During that era, he and his bands also backed up the Shirelles, the Del-Vikings, the Coasters, the Drifters and the Platters.
His career has been nothing if not eclectic. He played trumpet in a jazz quartet in a beatnik coffeehouse in Seattle in 1959 - reading poetry to the audience during breaks. He learned banjo and mandolin to spice up folk groups in the 60's in Georgia. He played pedal-steel guitar in a country-rock band, and classical guitar and lute in a Renaissance ensemble. And, in 1967, his skill with instrumental composition won him a national arts grant. All these experiences make Jack's music sparkle, creating an all-American southern music.
Admission to the concert is $12.00 at the door. Student admission is half-price.
Doors open at 5:30pm; show begins at 7:00pm. Food and drinks are available for purchase at all Blue Moon Sundays concerts. For reservations call the Cafe at 304-876-1920.The Blue Moon Cafe is located on North Princess Street Shepherdstown WV
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