2018 Skiffle Steel Orchestra
Global - This young man is serious, driven, witty and focused. Kendall Williams’ journey with the steelpan instrument began at the age of four as he mimicked the steelpan performances of his parents. He is that singular combination of talent, intellect and wisdom beyond his years. He is currently the Van Lier Emerging Composer Fellow for the American Composers Orchestra (ACO). In addition Kendall is the arranger for Brooklyn’s CrossFire Steel Orchestra.
A graduate from Florida Memorial University (BA Music) and with a M.M. in Music Theory & Composition from NYU Steinhardt, Kendall will begin his Ph.D. pursuit at Princeton University beginning this Fall 2014.
click for exclusive interview
Replies
Congratulations and all the best. A very good interview. Keep up the good work! It was a pleasure working alone with you in the New York University Steelband.
Kendall: I remember interviewing you on television when you were nine. What an extraordinary and colorful journey you have undertaken since then! You, your parents, the instrument, the university, your post-modern style of arranging; and now Princeton. Continue to make it happen. Keep the pitch pine dry and the pot on boil. Good luck. Be seeing you again.
Dalton Narine
Thank you Dalton Narine and Merrytonetothebone the positive thought and encouragement is much appreciated!!
The interview was great it was nice listening to your achievements and views concerning the steel band. However I must say that I blame some of the managers or owners of the New York steel bands for discouraging the youth and even veterans from wanting to be part of the art form. I wish you all the luck and success with your music career.
Thank you for the well wishes i appreciate the encouragement tremendously!
Just like all the other young, brilliant, educated arrangers from T&T, he'll be rejected by us. And that's sad. Will we ever be ready for Prof. Liam or Andre White? There are many others too.
FIRST I MUST CONGRATULATE KENDALL ON HIS ACHIEVEMENTS.,, 2ND. I MUST COMMENT ON WHAT WAS SAID CONCERNING ARRANGERS LIVING ABROAD.,, IRREGARDLESS OF WHERE AN ARRANGER LIVES, WHETHER T&T, THE U.S., EUROPE, ETC... PANORAMA IS THE TYPE OF COMPETITION, WHERE YOU HAVE TO BRING IT. NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE A DEGREE OR DEGREES IN MUSIC, MEANS THAT A PERSON CAN ACTUALLY DO A WINNING PANORAMA SONG, OR IS ARRANGING FOR A BAND THAT IS ABLE TO PLAY OR EXECUTE THE MUSIC TO WIN.,,, YOU HAVE TO EARN THAT WIN IN PANORAMA!!!!!LASTLY KENDALL IS A PRODUCT OF YOUNG ARRANGERS GIVEN BREAKS IN NEW YORK, ODIE FRANKLIN, MARK BROOKS, ANDRE WHITE,.. SO PLEASE LET'S BE AWARE OR KNOWLEDGEABLE, OF THE COMMENTS WE MAKE.