Darryl Jovan Williams began his singing career in the local churches in Jasper County, South Carolina, often accompanying himself and the choir from the piano. At age 11, Darryl joined the prestigious Rev. James Cleveland workshop in Savannah, GA which afforded him the opportunity to sing background for gospel artists including Shirley Caesar, Dorinda Clarke Cole, and Dorothy Norwood.Darryl Jovan Williams
Darryl’s professional stage career started regionally in such shows as Singin’ in the Rain, A Chorus Line, Ain’t Misbehavin, The All Night Strut, The Meeting, Passing Strange, Once On This Island, Dreamgirls, and continued with The Wiz (40th Anniversary in Central Park). He has performed in such Off-Broadway shows such as Mama I Want to Sing and Big Mama Stringbean: the life of Ethel Waters (AUDELCO award nomination).
Darryl is the winner of the Americans Traditions Savannah Onstage International Soloist Competition, earning a Gold Medal, a Ten Thousand Dollar Grand Prize and an offer to sing for the Yachting Event for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Internationally, Darryl was invited by one of Germany’s elite promoters, the late Mr. Michael Brenner, to tour Eastern Europe as Choir Director and guest soloist with Queen Esther Marrow and The Harlem Gospel Singers. His vocal prowess gained him rave reviews and won him the opportunity to perform for Pope (now Saint) John Paul II in Bologna, Italy.
Darryl has toured extensively in the Broadway hit Smokey Joe’s Cafe with the legendary Gladys Knight which was a fixture at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Darryl has also created background vocals and sung behind such artists as Gladys Knight, Leslie Gore, Lisa Fischer, Ann Nesby, Louis St. Louis and Emmy Award winner Dave Pierce. His performance and background vocals with Leslie Gore at Feinstein’s was lauded as one of the Top Ten Cabaret Shows in 2009.
Darryl was co-music arranger and vocal arranger for Sir. Andrew Lloyd Webber with the much-anticipated hit Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel in which he won rave reviews for his portrayal of Judas at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre. Currently based in New York City, Darryl was a semi-finalist at the world famous Apollo Theatre and keeps a vocal studio of younger performers performing on Broadway and on national tours. Darryl was recently featured on PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center singing background for Tony winner Cynthia Erivo. His headliner show The Mind of a Tenor has been performed on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and the Azamara Pursuit and at venues from Hawaii to South Africa. His debut album The Mind of a Tenor is available on line at CD Baby and at all digital outlets. – DarrylJWilliams.com
| Credit Type | Production | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Actor | Sweet Mama Stringbean | 2007-08 Season |