Music Girl of Orange County: Review of Chris Williams Benefit Event

I don't even know where to start on this review. I can say that I witnessed true magic last night at the fundraiser for Chris Williams. This was an incredible concert, to help out a great artist, through a very difficult time in his life. Chris Williams has been very ill and needs an urgent surgery in order to get better. Let me start out by telling you a little bit about Chris Williams.
Chris has been performing professionally since he was 15 years old. He is now in his early 30's. Chris has an outstanding ability to wow his audience with his incredible voice and his true passion for the music. His scatting never ceases to amaze me. He sings the standard and makes them seem better then ever. Chris nails it with the Latin Jazz accompanying his voice with some awesome bongo action. What I really love the most about Chris,is his own work. His music ranges from beyond moving to the desire to get up and dance.

Chris Williams He has earned many awards including four vocal solo awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and a major scholarship to the elite Berkley College of Music in Boston. His recording of “Comes Love” from his debut album Premodernism won Best Latin Song at the 2007 Orange County Music Awards.
So here is what I witnessed last night. LOVE. I was expecting to listen to the 15+ musicians that I read listed on the flyer. What did happen was at least 40 incredibly talented musicians showed up for their fellow artist. I believe that it takes a very special man to have this much love and support just pour out for you. As Chris stated, when he got on stage to thank everyone. "I have always wanted to be a jazz artist. You don't get a badge or a football jersey for that. You do, however, sometimes get in a financial bind. But I am so in awe of how many great musicians are in this room." It was a very heartfelt speech. It had myself and many others in tears.
So these extremely foot tapping, tear jerking, smile making musicians not only showed up, but played their hearts out. I thing my goose bumps were stacked 5 high. They matched themselves up with their usual bands, they mixed themselves up with people they had never played with and they then would just switch it all up again . I wish I could have gotten all the names but there were just to many and I just kept getting caught up in the tunes and forgetting to write. Here is what I did get:

Edmund Velasco-Saxophonist "brilliant" and the friend who made this gig happen Thank You
Charles Small-Guitar
Ramon Banda-Drummer "never disappoints, Great"
Ruben Estrada (vibes) and the Estrada Brothers, "always a winner"
Justo Almario-Saxophonist & percussionist. "One of my top three favorites of the night." Listed among the 50 top alumni in the history of Berkley College Music.
Clayton Cameron-Brushes. "WOW"
Ramon Banda-Drums "Always kicks booty," As he did here"
Kye Palmer-Trumpet "regular in Jay Leno's Tonight Show"
Ron Stout-Trumpet and Vocals
Mark Massey-Keyboardist
Dr. Scott Tibbs-Keyboardist
Matt Politano-keyboardist
Mike Bennett-Drums
David Miller-Bassist
Steve Venz,-Bassist
Ryan Rost-Bassist
Sam Montooth-Saxophonist
Andrew Carney- Trumpet
Greg Parman-Bassist
Tim Gil-Trumpet
Blake White-Bassist
Dion Wilson-vocals "incredible surprise"
AND OF COURSE CHRIS WILLIAMS "WONDERFUL EVEN IN PAIN!"

Terrance Love, owner of Steamers night club and Helen Borgers from KKJZ hosted. Terrance did most of the MC and was great.
Favorite moment of night! Chris Williams singing "PURE IMAGINATION"

Ruben Estrada