In 2007 Williams was awarded a Grammy for the TNC recording of Messiaen’s L’Oiseau Exotiques with Angelin Chang and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. Additional recognition came in 2009 and 2011 when he was awarded further Grammy nominations for his conducting in recordings of concerti by Ernest Bloch and Benjamin Lees with violinist Elmar Oliveira, and for “Quincy Porter: Complete Viola Works”. He is also a recipient of the Geraldine C. & Emory M. Ford Award for American Conductors.

Williams has conducted both nationally and internationally for such orchestras as the Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Classic FM Orchestra (Bulgaria), Chicago Sinfonietta, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, The Britt Festival, and many others. In the popular realm, he conducted for R&B superstars Al Jarreau, Brian McKnight, The Winans, Terrence Blanchard, B Slade, as well as the celebrated Celtic band Colcannon, among others. Williams also conducted for televised events on FOX and UPN, while his composition/arrangement credits include the soundtrack to Mr. Dreyfuss Goes to Washington (History Channel documentary starring Richard Dreyfuss), alongside Michael Kamen (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard), and arranging, as well as orchestrating the National Song of the Cayman Islands (“Beloved Isle Cayman”) for the official use of the nation’s government.

Williams is also a virtuoso violin soloist, pianist, and chamber musician. He began violin studies at age 10 in a Washington, D.C. public school. At age 14 he appeared as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared as soloist with orchestras such as the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, South Carolina Philharmonic, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the Portland Symphony Orchestra and others. Williams served as Concertmaster of the Virginia Symphony and was a member of the Houston Symphony. As guest concertmaster he has appeared with the Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet, the Opera Company of North Carolina, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra, and was Assistant Concertmaster of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.

John McLaughlin Williams, although a relatively young conductor, has an enviable discography so far. I can’t praise his work enough. I have no idea how good an orchestra the Ukraine has, but Williams makes it sound very close to top rank.
Steven Schwartz, Classical Net


John McLaughlin Williams accompanies perfectly, balancing the orchestra with a sure ear. Throughout, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine plays with the utmost dedication and with a spirit of discovery that is simply infectious, faultlessly guided by Williams. Impressive.
Colin Clarke, Fanfare


The National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine responds splendidly to its guest American conductor John McLaughlin Williams, who is completely and convincingly at one with this music. He creates a fine sound from the string sections and unlike many orchestras from this part of the world, the winds and brass play with utter sensitivity, fine solo sounds where applicable and with spot-on intonation and tone. How interesting it is that a fine American conductor recording first-rate American music has to travel to the other side of the globe to bring it to life.
Kevin Sutton, MusicWeb


John McLaughlin Williams delivers absolutely masterful and deeply engrossing readings… In fact, Williams, a child prodigy who is also an accomplished violinist and is here making his recording debut, is a genuine find.
Paul A. Snook, Fanfare


Here, as elsewhere, John McLaughlin Williams moulds the changing moods and colours with tremendous confidence and the Ukraine musicians capture Hadley’s idiom as to the manner born…
Jeremy Nicholas, International Record Review


Williams and the Kiev-based orchestra outdo themselves on this CD with first-class playing and committed interpretations; I wouldn’t expect to hear better anywhere.
Raymond Tuttle Classical Net


One of the most beautiful florets of the American collection of Naxos, and a conductor whom one hopes to hear again often
5 Diapasons—Diapason (France)


Recording, performances and documentation are each admirable. The conductor is to be watched for the future…however we must not be surprised if his name is soon linked to the likes of the Dallas or Minnesota orchestras.
Rob Barnett


John McLaughlin Williams, a graduate of the Cleveland Institute Of Music, conducts vibrant performances. He invests energy where it is needed and emphasizes the tenderness that pervades many pages of Carpenter’s scores.
Donald Rosenberg, The Plain Dealer


To be honest, we were hesitant to order this CD when it first came out, as we had been underwhelmed by some of this orchestra’s earlier recordings. However, since Maestro Williams made his Naxos recording debut with the orchestra in June of 1999, its sound has improved considerably. Whatever he’s doing, we hope it continues.
John McGrody, Network Chicago


If Nelson is star of this show, John McLaughlin Williams is its master of all trades. He is conductor of the Northwest Sinfonia, a Seattle-based ensemble, which he leads through a gorgeous performance of Porter’s sumptuously scored Viola Concerto; sits at the piano for the Speed Etude, Blues Lontains, and Poem; takes on the harpsichord in the Duo for Viola and Harpsichord; and plays violin in the Duo for Violin and Viola. His violin credentials are especially impressive. He served as concertmaster for the Virginia Symphony and as guest concertmaster for the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Bolshoi, Kirov, and American Ballet Theater orchestras.
Jerry Dubins, Fanfare


He presided authoritatively, drawing articulate and sonorous playing from the …musicians… Williams and company gave the work a concentrated performance in which every detail mattered.
Donald Rosenberg, The Plain Dealer


…he exhibited a big, luscious tone with lots of oomph…
Richard Buell, Boston Globe


…played with a beautiful singing tone…perfectly poised…
Richard Dyer, Boston Globe


…(his playing showed) a combination of energy and effortlessness…
Patriot Ledger


…Williams showed…his virtuosity…played with bravura…
The State


(Williams played) with clarity, superb technique and an impassioned touch…
The Enterprise


John McLaughlin Williams was an expert soloist…
Boston Globe


…he displayed his abilities by handling the tricky…passages with ease and catching the buoyant quality of this work.
Daily Press
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