The Buddy Williams Interview
Drummer for The Color Purple, Motown The Musical and the revival of Hello Dolly.
Having entered the music industry more than five decades ago, Buddy began his professional journey at eight. His early education includes stints at New York's illustrious High School of Music and Art, an institution attended by luminaries like Noel Pointer, Tom Browne, Dave Valentine, Marcus Miller, and Bernard Wright. He further honed his craft at the Manhattan School of Music.
In terms of versatility, Buddy is a chameleon, comfortable in a myriad of musical styles. His formative years with the group 'Natural Essence' provided him a springboard to collaborate with a roster of acclaimed and diverse musicians.
Today, Buddy is essential to several high-profile touring acts, sharing the stage with icons such as Herbie Mann, Tania Maria, George Benson, Roberta Flack, and Patti Austin. Over the past decade, he was the drummer for The Color Purple, Motown The Musical, and the revival of Hello Dolly.
The scope of Buddy's collaborations reads like a 'Who's Who' of the music industry, encompassing legends like Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, and Mariah Carey, among countless others. Among the career milestones that stand out is his invitation to perform at the exclusive 'One Night Stand' concert at Carnegie Hall, where he was featured alongside jazz giants like Eubie Blake, Herbie Hancock, and George Duke. He has showcased his production talents in records like Herbie Mann's 'Astral Land.' He has lent his compositional genius to the soundtrack of 'Bustin Loose.'
Highly esteemed by his industry peers, Buddy holds governance roles in NARAS and is a member of both SAG and AFTRA. He was a cornerstone of the Saturday Night Live Band for over a decade. His work is omnipresent, resonating in numerous recordings, radio jingles, and commercials for brands like Double Mint Gum, Kodak, and Western Union.