Sophisticated, soulful and singing the hits: Alexander Williams channels Luther Vandross

Powerhouse vocalist Alexander Williams channels the icons in a new tribute show series If Only for One Night: A Musical Tribute to Luther Vandross produced by Tallahassee Nights Live on March 9.

Singing the hits is what Williams does. Tracing the Capital City's musical history, the Tallahassee stages Williams has performed on have also hosted music icons from different eras. Before Williams was even born, his parents saw Grammy-winning rhythm and blues singer and music icon Luther Vandross.

Their takeaway? "We've never heard anyone who literally sounds just like the record." Williams agreed. He hopes his Vandross songs sound just like the record, too.

Growing up in gospel

"I was actually introduced to Luther Vandross by my parents," Williams said. From a musical family, Williams sang in the New Mount Zion M.B. Church choir, along with his mother, aunts and cousins. "When I was in eighth grade," Williams said, "I started being more comfortable on the stage by myself. And when I entered high school, I really started getting more comfortable into performing and found the passion for it."

This love of music led him to Tallahassee State College, where he earned an Associates in Fine Arts, and to Florida A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Music. "I was a music student and a voice student," he said, mixing his music theory classes with experience in the FAMU Concert Choir, where he developed his mastery of blending, harmonization, and ensemble practice.

Solo artistry

Though Williams loves collaborating with ensembles, he's excited about his recent shift into solo singing. "With an ensemble," Williams said. "You have to make sure you're blending with everyone else, that you're not sticking out. Solo artistry gives you a lot more freedom."

Local musicians and producers, like Lili Forbes of the Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation and Darius "Doc" Baker of Tallahassee Nights Live (TNL), helped Williams find that freedom. Williams expanded his repertoire, performing at New Year's Eve and MLK Day concerts and becoming what's known as a "ringer": a consistent, powerful voice that carries the music, not the other way around.

Forbes became Williams' "big musical sister," helping him expand the genres of music he sings while Baker coached him on stage presence and interactions with an audience.

In fact, the idea of a Luther Vandross tribute show was Baker's, with Williams as his first choice to deliver that Vandross sound. "I've been listening to (Vandross) for many years," Williams said. "I'm really connected to him. He's an amazing vocalist. He's a perfectionist."

Vandross and Williams have that in common. To prepare for the show, Williams obsessively listens to Vandross's album recordings.

"I'm very analytical," Williams said "I have to listen all day and every day to make sure I get the lyrics, the notes … I want to get everything right. The inflection, the belting, the phrasing. I want everyone to think Luther is, or could possibly be, in the room."

It's not just the music that Williams wants to get right, either. "With Luther, it's a mixture," he said. "He walks on the stage and addresses the crowd and uses his hands. He has the power to just stand behind the microphone and sing. I'm taking notes from Luther on how he addresses the audience."

Icons and influence

For If Only for One Night: A Musical Tribute to Luther Vandross, Williams will perform two songs. "One is super well-known," said Williams. " 'A House Without a Home.' This is the one I really align with. It paints a picture. It allows you to see everything that Luther is talking about. The type of vocalist I am, I felt I could really deliver it."

"The second song is 'Creepin'," he continued. "It's what artists would call a 'deep cut,' meaning you'd have to study his music to know about this particular song." His parents introduced him to this song, singing along as they drove. "I was already a Luther fan," he said. "I really liked it. I wanted to sing it."

In many ways, Williams has been preparing for this performance his whole life: watching Vandross on YouTube, honing his contemporary R&B vocal stylings; covering hits by other music icons and living legends at singing events around the Capital Region; staying musically rooted in his church where, to this day, his aunt and mother coach, guide and encourage his singing career.

His approach is led by respect for both genre and song. His love for music and singing, along with select members of TNL, will be showcased at this tribute show series debut on Tallahassee's Southside.

"I hope the audience feels good," Williams said. "I hope that I give Luther justice, singing his works."

If you go

What: If Only for One Night: A Musical Tribute to Luther Vandross by Tallahassee Nights Live

When:7:30-9 p.m. Sunday, March 9

Where: TNL Performing Arts Center, 1533 South Monroe St.

Tickets:$15-25; visit eventbrite.com; facebook.com/tallahasseenightslive/

Kathleen Spehar is the Executive Director of the Council on Culture & Arts. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, COCA is the capital area's umbrella agency for arts and culture (www.tallahasseearts.org)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee singer Alexander Williams channels Luther Vandross