SCOTT WILLIAMS
Piano Instructor
Scott Williams was
raised in Naperville, Illinois, and developed an interest in music at an
early age. He began studying the piano at age 6 and violin at age 9, and
thanks to the influence of artists such as Oscar Peterson and Dave
Brubeck he began directing his studies toward Jazz.
Scott’s early music education came at the Grammy Signature Award winning
music department of Neuqua Valley High School under the direction of
Charles Staley and Jonathan Lauff. There he studied music theory and
performed for four years with the Neuqua Valley Jazz Orchestra. In
addition to winning the school’s 2004 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Scott
also was named to the IMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble in 2003 and 2004, and
played with the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage where he had the
opportunity to perform with musicians such as Jamie Abersold, Victor
Goines, Terell Stafford, and Mark Colby.
Mr. Williams began studying jazz piano with Chicago-based pianist Larry
Novak when he started attending DePaul University in 2004; he also
received classical instruction from Jupiter Trio pianoist Aglika
Angelova. While playing for DePaul’s Jazz ensemble in 2007 under the
direction of Bob Lark, Scott has also been fortunate enough to receive
instruction from Tim Coffmann, Bob Rummage, Mark Colby, Bobby Broom, and
Bob Palmeri. Mr. Williams completed his Jazz Studies degree at DePaul
University in 2008.
Scott performs for many different groups ranging from the Deen Anbr Organ
Trio to LaCosta Theatre’s productions of “The Last Five Years” and “A New
Brain”, to solo piano performances for private events. In 2007 Scott
joined the Frank Catalano Band and has had the opportunity to perform
around the nation, opening for Stanley Clarke at the Blue Note in New
York (March 2007), and performing at various venues in California. He
continues to perform weekly at Andy’s Steakhouse Jazz Club and The Green
Mill in Chicago with Mr. Catalano, and recently recorded with him on
“Bang!” (Savoy Records).
