The University at Albany Department of Music is pleased to present Ernie Williams and His Band on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 7pm in the Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus.

Williams, the charismatic 82 year old blues legend, was raised in rural Virginia on a tobacco plantation, the son of sharecroppers. A musician who taught himself to play on a home made guitar, Williams has lived the life of an American blues legend. He has shared the stage with such superstars as B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Buddy Guy, Luther Alison and many other musical legends. In his 60+ years of singing and playing the blues for adoring audiences of all ages, Williams has performed across the country but primarily throughout the Northeast.

For this concert, Williams is backed by some of the finest musicians playing today including Rocky Petrocelli on drums, a 20 year veteran of the band; keyboardist Mike Kelley who is best known for his work with 70’s favorites Blotto and the horn fueled band The Sharks; bassist Mike Dunn who has played with members of The Band and has been a regular member of Professor Louie and the Chromatix; lead guitarist Hank Soto, a long time member of The Stony Creek Band; and saxophonist/producer Charlie Vatalaro who has backed everyone from Tom Jones to The Lettermen and performed with jazz legends Cannonball Adderley and Roland Kirk.

Ernie and his band represented the East Coast in KLON's National Blues Talent Search and walked away with a prize for first runner up; on two occasions they received a Critic's Choice column in the Chicago Reader. Williams himself was presented a “Lifetime Achievement” award at the Boston Blues Festival.  To date, he has released six CD's.

In addition to his musical performances, William’s charisma has landed him in both magazine and TV spots. He was selected by Canon for their ad campaign for their new line of copiers called Canon Blues. In 2003, he was featured on a national public television series entitled “It’s an Age Thing” focusing on his secrets to successful aging. Williams has also appeared in several television and radio commercials.

Tickets are $8 for the general public and $4 for students and may be purchased through the Performing Arts Center Box Office. For further information, contact the Box Office at (518) 442-3997 or visit the Performing Arts Center website at www.albany.edu/pac.

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