Vocalist Colie Williams Releases Her Debut CD, “Light Up The Darkness” in March 2011
Every so often a light shines into the darkness of musical mediocrity and from the shadows emerges a fresh new artist with a gift that brings illumination and perspective to their listeners – Colie Williams is such an artist. Colie has had a very diverse background in music. From gracing the stage at the historic Apollo Theater and the Kennedy Center to singing in festivals and clubs nationally, Colie definitely has had her experience live and is ready to release her debut CD “Light Up the Darkness” in March 2011 to share her musical light with the world.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Colette Williams (affectionately known to her friends as Colie) took the stage after her junior high school teacher recognized her vocal talent. She encouraged Colie to attend Music & Arts High School in Harlem. After graduation, Williams continued her studies at Syracuse University where she participated in their musical theatre program. Although an education major, performing piqued her inherent love for music and provided her with a restorative experience that she would be unable to deny.
Colie’s devotion to music and theatre led her to Washington, D.C. There she began touring and performing with various professional theatre productions, most notably, the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. After concluding her theatre work, Williams turned her focus to developing her own distinctive sound. “I’ve always felt a strong connection to legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack and Billie Holiday.” Spirited by the influence of these legendary greats, Colie began honing a melodious style all her own.
With an established vision for her sound, Colie and her band (Soul For A New Day) naturally complement each other with seamless precision during their performances of timeless covers and enticing originals. Though often compared to songstresses like Jill Scott and Teena Marie, Colie’s musical style uniquely blends sounds of sultry jazz and classic R&B with therapeutic elements that speak to the mental, emotional, and spiritual well – being of her listeners. This singer/songwriter creates music to lift, inspire and share her truth. Colie’s performances intentionally set out to create intimate landscapes where she connects and shares her vision with the audience.
As Williams reaches back to call upon the classic styles of Ella, Sarah and Billie to inspire her music, her message reaches forward towards today’s audiences.