| Biography | Born in Grimsby, England in 1970, Gary found his voice in community theatre and social clubs before getting his first break with the BBC Big Band. The concert was broadcast on regional radio and caught the attention of BBC bosses, who immediately invited Gary to perform in a series of concerts with the band for Radio 2s Big Band Special and on national television paying tribute to Vic Damone. It was there he met broadcaster David Jacobs who suggested they tour the UK together with a new show The Legend of Sinatra, which ran for 12 months.
After guest appearances with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Gary was introduced to conductor and arranger John Wilson, whose dedication to recreating the original sound of the great orchestras led to numerous concerts, including tributes to Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Gary has since worked with John as a soloist with many orchestras including the Hallé, Northern Sinfonia, City of Birmingham Symphony, Royal Scottish National, Adelaide Symphony, Icelandic Sinfonia, and the Northern Sinfonia.
Gary has been a regular guest of the BBC Concert Orchestra for Friday Night Is Music Night and had the honour of performing for The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace. In 2010 he was invited by the LA Jazz Institute to perform at Frank Sinatras famous Palm Springs home. He starred in the 50th anniversary concert of Songs for Swingin Lovers with Irelands RTE Orchestra, presented by Nelson Riddles daughter Rosemary, and subsequently Putting on My Top Hat with Fred Astaires daughter, Ava.
In 2004 Gary enjoyed his West End debut, recreating the role of Frank Sinatra for 150 performances of The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas at The Theatre Royal Haymarket, The Strand and the subsequent 2005 European tour to Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands. In 2006 his cabaret show An Evening with Gary Williams sold out at Londons Pizza on the Park and the following year he opened the White Christmas orchestral tour with two sell-out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Gary is a fixture in Londons cabaret rooms including Ronnie Scotts and the Crazy Coqs with A Swingin Christmas, Thats Life and since 2012, Sinatra Jukebox.
Other work includes a concert The Legend of Sinatra (UK tour), the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in Los Angeles, BBC Pebble Mill, Thats Entertainment a tribute to the MGM musicals with the John Wilson Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, Gloria Hunnifords Open House (with Donny Osmond and Burt Bacharach), and the soundtrack for the Warner Bros motion picture Mrs Ratcliffes Revolution. Gary performed two new songs for Doctor Who A Celebration from Cardiffs Millennium Centre complete with Daleks, Cybermen, and the Welsh National Concert Orchestra (broadcast on BBCs Christmas day special and available on BBC DVD). He has appeared on Radio 2s Jazz Notes, Radio 4s Loose Ends and has contributed to their consumer programme You and Yours. |