Major (Ret’d) Joseph Williams, OD   ARCM FIBA

Joe Williams has always been passionate about music. And for more than four decades he has been thrilling audiences both at home and abroad, with sweet music.

Joseph Benjamin Williams joined the Jamaica Military Band ons Valentine’s Day, in 1951. At that time, the Band was a part of the Local Forces.

The young man displayed a keen interest in all types of music and tried to learn about every aspect of the art.

He was making waves from those early days. In 1961, for example, he composed and arranged the music for the Little Theatre Movement’s 1960/61 Pantomime called "Carib Gold" and in 1962 he composed a march appropriately titled "Independence Day". He is also responsible for doing the first military band arrangement for the committee which was appointed to select the Jamaica National Anthem.

In that Independence year, the Jamaica Military Band became a part of the Jamaica Defence Force and Cpl. Williams was made a full-time soldier.

In 1964 he was granted a scholarship to the Royal School of Music, in Britain and a year later he entered the world-renowned Kneller Hall as a student bandmaster. He scored 85 points in the "passing in" examinations which placed him in the top three in the class. During the course he played in the Director’s Band on many memorable occasions at places such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Light Concert Orchestra and at the Queen’s birthday parade.

The young Williams graduated as a Bandmaster in style as he gained the second highest marks in arranging, was third in secondary instruments and scored 85 as a conductor. For his efforts he won the Graham Wallace award after being adjudged "the best overseas student."

Fresh from his triumphs in Britain he returned to Jamaica in 1968 and was promptly promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 and was appointed Bandmaster of the Jamaica Military Band. He was the first qualified Jamaica to be so appointed.

In 1974, he was granted a Commission in the rank of Lieutenant and appointed Director of Music. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1976 and in 1982 was made a Major.

An accomplished saxophonist, and equally talented on the clarinet, Joe Williams is very proud of the way he helped to shape the music offered by many of the country’s dance bands. Under his baton, the Bands (Jamaica Military Band and the Jamaica Regiment Band) achieved kudos from audiences at home and abroad for the very high standard of their performance.

He has earned many honours for his contribution to the development of music. These include the Independence Medal in 1962, the Medal of Honour for Long Service and Good Conduct in 1971 and the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service in 1981. He was appointed Officer of the Order of Distinction in 1980. Major Williams is an Associate of the Royal College of Music (London) and a Fellow of the International Biographical Association, Cambridge, England.

A quiet yet forceful man, Major Williams was highly respected by his seniors, peers and subordinates. He has an acute sense of responsibility and attained a very high standard in his work.

Major Williams laid down his baton on February 28, 1995 after 44 years of sterling service to his country.

"Alert" takes this opportunity of wishing for Major Williams a happy and peaceful retirement. Well done!