Blues, Americana, and Folk
Monday, July 22
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Esplanade
Blues, Americana, and Folk
Monday, July 22
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Esplanade
Bear Williams aka (Larry Kimpel) is a Chicago-based blues/Americana/folk artist who tours and records internationally. He is the founder and co-owner of GVR Records distributed via INgrooves/Razor’s Edge/Universal Music Group. Bear Williams released his debut CD Waters Of Love in 2017. Bear’s career was launched in 1977 when his high school band leader, the late George “Tan” Hunter Introduced him to Chicago record producer, Sonny Saunders, and world-renowned arranger, Tom Tom Washington (EWF, Phil Collins). Sonny and Tom Tom hired Bear on the spot. From there, Bear went on to perform and record with many other top artists such as, Mavis Staples & The Staple Singers, Bobby Lyle, Anita Baker, George Duke, Babyface, Whitney Houston, The Crusaders, Bruce Hornsby, Tom Scott, Diana Ross, Ledisi, Rachelle Ferrelle, Patti LaBelle, Kelly Price, Bobby Caldwell, Mervyn Warren (Take 6), Ray Parker Jr., Branford Marsalis, Boney James, Rick Braun, Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Randy Crawford, George Benson, Norman Conners, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Little Richard, Miki Howard, Kevin Toney, Bobby Womack, Peabo Bryson, Steve Perry (Journey), Angela Bofill, Randy Crawford, Brenda Russell, Alanis Morrisette, Joe Cocker, and Al Jarreau, just to name a few.