I’m very grateful for the opportunity to meet so many bright, creative and caring people through my work. I met several in the course of developing this week’s story, and the person who ended up making the biggest impression on me played a minor role on camera. Terry Williams is the father of four boys, all of whom play instruments. The two oldest, 18-year-old Joshua and 15-year-old Jo-el, are featured in this segment. Williams understands what I began to grasp at the age of 5, when I took my first piano lesson: that music—the performance and appreciation of it—is essential to fully developing young minds.
Williams told me he’ll often do the lion’s share of yard work at home rather than delegate it to his sons because he’d rather hear them practicing in the house. Not that he expects them to all become professional musicians when they grow up (Jo-el is planning a career in medicine)—but Williams does expect them to learn discipline, time management skills, and to be the best at whatever they do.
Terry Williams, Ron Henderson of Crusaders for Jazz, Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, Joshua Williams and Jo-el Williams
In the extremely competitive music world, Terry Williams also understands the importance of networking. From the faculties of the jazz programs at UMSL and SIUE Edwardsville, to the non-profit Jazz St. Louis, Williams said his sons have found much support and encouragement. Joshua and Jo-el’s most famous mentor and occasional coach (whenever he’s in town performing) is Wynton Marsalis: Director of Jazz At Lincoln Center and, to my mind (and many others), the greatest trumpet player on the planet.
Terry Williams thought it was so important for his two oldest sons to have a sense of accomplishment with their music, that he once convinced a friend who was getting married to let the boys (who were in middle school at the time) play one song at the wedding reception (Josh plays trumpet, Jo-el tenor sax). Then, Williams gave the friend money in order to “pay” the two young musicians.
I believe parents are the first and most important teachers their children will ever have. Terry Williams apparently believes it too, and acts accordingly.
- Ruth Ezell
