John Williams is one of the most exquisite musicians within and beyond Irish music circles today. With five All-Ireland titles to his credit, John is the only American-born competitor ever to win first place in the Senior Concertina category. His additional talents on flute, whistles, bodhran, and piano distinguish him as a much sought after multi-instrumentalist in the national acoustic scene.

As a founding member of the groundbreaking band Solas, Williams received wider recognition playing to sold out audiences internationally and earning two NAIRD awards and Grammy nominations for the ensemble's 1996 and 1997 releases Solas and Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers. The Irish national broadcasting network RTE has featured Williams as the subject of the radio program The Long Note, the television series The Pure Drop, and the Christmas special Geantrai.

His recent release entitled Steam features the virtuosic guitar talents of Dean Magraw and Randal Bays, former Solas bandmates Seamus Egan and John Doyle, fiddler Liz Carroll as well as Chicago jazz greats Larry Gray on bass and Paul Wertico on percussion. Folk Roots magazine reviewed Steam as "unquestionably one of the best cds of the year."

Outside traditional music John has collaborated on productions with Gregory Peck, Doc Severinson, Studs Terkel, Mavis Staples, jazz pianist Bob Sutter, bluegrass legend Tim O'Brien, director Sam Mendes, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Irish Chamber Ensemble. Audiences nationwide recognize Williams from numerous appearances on Mountain Stage, A Prairie Home Companion and The Grand Ol' Opry as well as guest performances with The Chieftains, Nickel Creek, and Riverdance.

On the silver screen he appears as a bandleader, music consultant, and composer in Dreamworks' classic Chicago thriller Road to Perdition. Centrally featured in the Academy Award-Nominated score by Thomas Newman, Williams' autumnal Perdition Piano Duet was released on the 2002 Universal soundtrack album as performed in the film by stars Paul Newman and Tom Hanks. Of the original piece by Williams, The Los Angeles Times wrote "Closeness is beautifully and wordlessly conveyed in a quiet piano duet...a lovely thing." (-Kenneth Turan). And, of the soundtrack, The Denver Post printed "Brilliant, beautiful, brutal...the music in the film feels almost like a character itself." (-Eric S. Elkins).

In August 2003 Chicago Magazine selected Williams in their annual Best of Chicago issue as one of the city's finest instrumentalists. His collaborative album Raven with composer and guitarist Dean Magraw will be released in the fall in conjunction with a national tour.

What the Press is Saying...

"John Williams was stunning, as usual. This Chicago-based musician released a classic album entitled Steam a few years ago. And, it still describes his playing!"

- Bill Margeson, Irish American News

The Celtic Connection
February 2002
Review of Steam

John Williams is in an enviable position. Many skilled Irish players would be overjoyed to have sensitive accompanist; on his new album “Steam”, Williams uses no fewer than five different guitarists. Dennis Cahill, Randal Bays, Dean Magraw, John Doyle, and Jim DeWan all contribute backing to the accordion, concertina and flute of John Williams, making for a tour de force of Irish ensemble playing. This is definitely an album which showcases Williams’ skill on his various instruments; but at the same time, the arrangements are as carefully crafted as anything being recorded today.