The Journey has Begun - Kendall Williams: Master of Music - Steelpan: Instrument of Choice

Kendall Williams conducting CrossFire Steel Orchestra during his graduate recital at NYU

New York, New York - Quiet, unassuming and intense – you won’t even know he’s in the room. But don’t be fooled by his quiet demeanor. Kendall Williams is immensely talented, witty, humorous but focused. Moreover, he has a voice and has charted an unexplored music path for the steelpan music family of instruments. Those who know him of course, already knew this. And after last weekend’s past recital for his degree of Master of Music, many, many more will now know it too.

Kendall Williams conducting CrossFire Steel Orchestra during his graduate recital at NYU

The recital was held at the Frederick Loewe Theatre on the NYU (New York University) campus in lower Manhattan. Kendall is a graduating student in the world-respected NYU Music and Performing Arts Professions. Beyond the obvious pride and joy felt by the close friends and family of Kendall, is the immense sense of accomplishment by all those of the steelpan music fraternity who sacrificed so much, fought, suffered and died for the acceptance and respectability for the steelpan instrument and genre of music.

Kendall Williams, with Crystal Chu on marimba and Yael Litwin on crotales during his graduate recital at NYU

On this day Kendall Williams put the whole musical package on display. From his deeply personal steelpan ensemble composition and arrangement “MisConception,” performed by Brooklyn’s Crossfire Steel Orchestra, to his eclectic creation “4 Sticks, a Trumpet and a Mute” - the life experiences of Kendall and the Pan are performed in live HD with the colorful and historical storytelling associated with the instrument. In short - the music of this recital embodied Kendall’s musical journey to this moment and his ultimate success and triumph. The ancient rhythms are strong within Kendall, but that doesn’t stop him from operating outside the box as he demonstrated in his minimalist approach to his composition “Certain Times.” And then there is his classical adaptation of the Lord Nelson’s “Ah Goin’ an Party Tonight.” For sure, the late great master arranger Clive Bradley was smiling at this one.

Kendall Williams, with Minerva Johnson on trumpet

It was less than one week prior on April 30, that his arrangement of “It’s Showtime” had been performed by NYU Steel as they closed their annual Spring concert at the same venue. Indeed, we will be hearing much from Kendall in the future. The journey has just begun.

Kendall Williams accompanies CrossFire Steel Orchestra on drums

Having been born around the Trinidadian culture, Kendall Williams has adopted the country’s national instrument, the steel pan. From as early as the age of four, Kendall made efforts to mimic his parents as they displayed their talents in a Miami-based steel band. It wasn’t long before his efforts turned into a reality as he developed his skills and passion for the instrument. As he got older his passion brought out a connection to music and he was able to perform with large, world-renowned steel bands in Trinidad and Tobago as well as bands in the New York-based scene for years and counting.

He took things a step further when he graduated from Florida Memorial University with a B.A. in Music under the direction of Dr. Dawn Batson, with his main instrument being the steel pan. He continued to further his studies at NYU Steinhardt, currently pursuing a Masters of Music Degree in Music Theory & Composition, studying with Julia Wolfe, Michael Gordon, and Rich Shemaria. There he also actively participates in the NYU Steel Band under the leadership of Artist Faculty member Josh Quillen. As he moves closer to graduating, his goals include composing and arranging music that can further showcase the steel pan for the virtuous instrument it is, while bringing his unique style to more conventional instruments known today.