Biafrablue
by Andy Williams
Music specialist Vinyl Deejay Art curator Educator Writer Radio Host Activist
About Andy Williams
Talented musician and art curator, writer and DJ with 40 years of experience. Still learning and loving it.
Performance artist and educator of all things music. Jazz specialist. Exceptional vinyl DJ and avid collector. Performing at a variety of venues in Europe, Canada, South Africa and the United States. Experience in music production and studio recording. Public speaker. Conferences and workshops.
Andy brings positive energy to everything he does. We hope you will enjoy what he humbly shares of his love for music and humanity.
Why Biafrablue?
The Biafran War in Nigeria was a brutal civil war. The poorest tribe that was the majority was overthrown leaving the rich in control... it was a bloodbath. 'Blue' is to signify the atrocities and oppression that went ignored by the English.
That was Britain's formal decolonization of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963. Immediate causes of the war in 1966 included ethno-religious riots in Northern Nigeria.
Music
Andy is known as the professor, humbly schooling peers and fans on the infinite musical talent yet to be discovered. A self-described alternative music digger, Andy will promote talent with records produced in limited quantities from all over the world. Andy has had the opportunity to grace the turntables with many underground deejays, peers who have the utmost respect for obscure rarities in dance floor tracks. From Cumbia, Paseito, Mento, Avant-Garde Jazz, Funk and hard-hitting Electro sounds Andy will ease your mind and create the right mood. In over four decades, his collection of more than 10 000 records never cease to grow. Andy has party goers and music lovers dance and discover, building a following with the many monthly nights he has co-created.
Brass knuckles
Brass knuckles was a local favourite, playing at festivals and many venues across town. As one of the first deejay collectives in the mid-nineties that started a trend across Canada. The avid fans were impressed with the array of sounds from Rock, funk, Hip-Hop,Latin, Jazz, Disco and Afro-beat.
Afro FUNK
Afro Funk was a night of eclectic funk from all corners of the globe with special guests. A memorable night with celebrities and trendy locals... It was on Murray Street in Griffintown... Always a pack night from Midnight to 7 or 8 a.m.
The Goods
Always a supporter of fellow talented musicians and deejays, he has brought international deejays to Montreal with the international renowned monthly The Goods, which he was one half of for over 15 years. This monthly night became a weekly radio show on CKUT, which Andy continues to this day. After COVID-19 is over, 'The Goods' radio show will be 'The Magic Roundabout'.
Jazz Amnesty Sound System
The Jazz Amnesty Sound System (or J.A.S.S.) is run by Montreal djs Andy Williams & sweet daddy luv. With an honest admiration, appreciation and awe for the dedication and skills of its honored players, these veteran selectors delve deep into the rich history of jazz in an attempt to weave its story.
Pan African Space Station
First year with P.A.S.S was 2008, Andy was discovered by South African patriots due to the release of his albums ('Variations in Time' & 'Monk Swing'), which placed him in a prestigious residency with Top deejays globally (performing at a festival and directing a radio program for 3 years (2008 - 2010). The producers of the Pan African Space Station were Ntone Edgebe & Neo Muyanga.
Mixes
Other collaborations and productions
PHI Foundation Apr 27 2022 Jazz Progressions: An evening with Andy Williams
POP Montréal ARCMTL: Montreal soul and R&B legend Skipper Dean in conversation with Andy Williams
Never Apart Afternoon Delight Series by Andy Williams
As a Women Who Rock Keynote Performer, Medusa’s experiences as a queer Hip Hop artist reframes and expands our understanding of the influence of women and women of colour, as musicians and performers, on the creation of community, social activism and popular music aesthetics.
By having Medusa discuss her experience, we wanted to build bridges to promote intercultural understanding and discuss issues faced by Montreal minorities too. We hope this event will help you start conversations and discover different ways to be.
Medusa is a respected Hip Hop artist who makes scenes as a performer and an educator. Informed by legacies of the blues and jazz women that preceded her, she is committed to creating community through music. She was a central figure in Good Life Cafe and Project Blowed in Los Angeles’ Leimert Park, an open-mic workshop space for emerging Hip Hop artists. With Nappy at the Roots, a musician’s showcase and collective, she created opportunities for artists to further develop their craft. One of the first Hip Hop artists to assemble a live band, her crew "Feline Science" charted new musical paths in their blend of soul and Hip Hop.
Thanks to Never Apart Gallery, we were able to provide a safe space for all gender identities and walks of life.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. 
We are grateful for the support.
Thank you to everyone involved, that made it possible in the most unexpected of times. Thank you for believing in my vision and seeing why it is so beneficial to create events like this one.
Never Apart Black Heritage: A Note From Curator Andy Williams
Never Apart Black Heritage Open House Talk: Maxine Walters / Andy Williams
CKUT 90.3 FM Black Heritage Series curated by Andy Williams
CBC Andy Williams' musical tribute to Montreal's Little Burgundy
MAC Jazz Amnesty Sound System (J.A.S.S.)
Collaborations: Quantic, Rocco Pandiani, Mr. Scruff, Miles Cleret, Carlos Ninos, Keb Darge, Kevin Moon, Robert Hoffman, Mats Karlsson, Kahil El’Zabar, John Kong/ Do Right Music, Mauro Pezzente/ Sala Rossa, Nickodemus and more.
Media
In the News
November 23, 2014
Alumni in the Headlines, Andy Williams on The Diaspora of Jazz / Jazz & the Civil Rights Movement
Book Andy for DJ gigs, workshops or conferences
With DJ Andy Williams at the turntables your event is garanteed to be unforgetably funky. Don't think twice and book Andy for your next party, wedding or function.
A brilliant educator, Andy has also been giving workshops and conferences for years. From children to adults, teenage students to academics, Andy's talent to adapt his content will leave you fascinated and educated.
Next online workshops starting April 15th, 2023
Andy is back, hosting a series of online workshops on Jazz as social history.
SIGN UP NOW
Send an e-Transfer or paypal payment to bchiarab@yahoo.com.
Don't forget to include the following information:
- Name of participant
- Chosen dates
- Email and telephone number
His workshops and lectures cover all aspects of Jazz and hip-hop history, using many angles such as black heritage, activism, and musical evolution.
Contact us for more info.
Topics
- Here are a few examples of topics that could be the subject of a speaking engagement:
- Jazz as Social History - A 4 modules workshop
- Politically Minded
- Black Oral Traditions to Hip-Hop
- Jazz & The Civil Rights Movement
- Hip-hop meets Bomba
- Jazz in the Caribbean
- Evolution of Jazz
- Living Inside Jazz
- Yoruba and Jazz
- Jazz & The Black Experience