Baritone Jorell Williams, known for having “a solid vocal core and easy, natural production” (Opera News), and “a deliciously resonant baritone voice” (Broadway World) has been heralded as “a rock solid singer with a keen understanding of his own expressive depths” (The Washington Post), is gracing the world’s most prominent concert and opera stages. The 2024/25 season for Jorell Williams includes headlining Kentucky Opera’s seasonopening Fannie Lou Hamer Tribute Concert, followed by the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS) in “My Brother’s Keeper”. Jorell debuts with Manitoba Opera as Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, and stars in the title role of Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Columbus. Additional highlights include performances with the National Philharmonic in Handel’s Messiah, and the Omaha Symphony in Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Jorell also debuts with Montreal’s Choeur StLaurent in Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast. Jorell is widely recognized for his concert work, having performed as a soloist in Bach’s Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah, Orff’s Carmina Burana, as well as Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Jorell has appeared with South Dakota Symphony, Greek National Opera, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Amadeus Choir, Elmer Iseler Singers, and Juneau Symphony. Jorell has won awards from the Jensen Foundation, The Gerda Lissner International Competition, The Schuyler Foundation for Career Bridges, The Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, The National Association of Negro Musicians, The Adams Art Song Competition and the Rochester Classical Idol XII Prize. He is an advocate for artist rights and serves as Chair of the Artistic Arts Council of Finger Lakes Opera, is a member of the Artistic Council for the Denyce Graves Foundation, OnSite Opera and is currently on the New Music board for the Brooklyn Art Song Society, using his experience to consult with arts organizations on their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
