Hailing from Vallejo, Dalt Williams, with almost seven decades of musical experience behind him, is a virtual walking encyclopedia of notes, melodies and melodies. Here are the talents that a longtime educator will bring to a special free jazz show at Marina Green in Suisun City on Sunday afternoon.
Williams started out playing the trumpet and tuba in his junior high school, then took up the double bass while serving in the Korean Army.
“It really worked well because I was on the general’s team, the Eighth Army Band,” says Williams. “We were playing for the soldiers, and then Korean girls would come on Friday or Saturday nights to dance with the boys.”
Back in the States, Williams went first to Vallejo College and then to San Francisco State University. It was a time he played with a wide variety of local musicians and groups, including “Peanuts” iconic Vince Guaraldi, who later wrote some of the most recognizable jazz-inspired songs in popular culture.
Williams laughs that he played Guaraldi “before he was successful. He was a nice guy and it was fun working with him.
Eventually, Williams returned home to Solano County, worked for a time with the school team at Travis Air Force Base, and took up the position of ensemble and choir director at Benicia High School, where he taught for 26 years, and was awarded the Teacher of the Year Award in 1994.
Since withdrawing from teaching, Williams has focused on performing with his jazz combo, Jazz For All Occasions, who plays a free concert in Suisun City on Sunday.
“We’ve done this in the past and most people bring picnics and garden chairs,” Williams said. “And enjoy the music.”
If you go: 3:00 PM Sunday July 31 Suisun Marina Green, Suisun City. Free. For more information, visit jazzforalloccasions.com.
