The Tower of Groove, aka bassist James L Williams, is a powerhouse of feel and taste. James was raised in a musical family in Gulfport Mississippi. His grandfather, Lemon, played piano; his father, Lemon Jr, sang and had his own radio show; his brother, Lemar, played bass for the Allman Brothers and Sea Level; and his younger brother, BJ, was also a singer.

 

In the 5th grade, James was given his first musical experience on the drums. He was on the drum line at Gulfport’s 33rd Ave. School, and played in the school's jazz band. He took drum lessons from Mr. Foreman,  who also taught Lamar and Jaimoe Johnson, a founding member and co-drummer from the Allman Bros.

 

As a teen, James became fixated on the bass. It didn't take long before he was forming bands and touring after he moved to Michigan in 1970. He played with Soulful Youngs, Sunquest, Karisma, Jonesy and Company, Jenifer Lewis and the Professionals, Mad Dog in the Pack, and Skyward Fusion.  He co-formed The Root Doctor Band in 1993, releasing 6 CDs, and was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2008.  He played with the Root Doctor Band for 32 years until it disbanded.

James is excited to now play with Brotha Earth. He is a co-founding member, along with touring members of Rare Earth. 

 

James has shared the stage with such heavyweights as Buddy Guy, Kool & The Gang, Ray Charles, Koko Taylor, Martha Reeves, Buddy Miles, Larry McCray, and Little Richard, just to name a few.

 

James is looking forward to many more years of keeping on with the family’s musical magic, and continuing to play at the same pace he did as a teenager. You can see the Tower of Groove in his mural in Old Town, Lansing, where he is revered and in demand.