POSITIVE MUSIC FOR POSITIVE MINDS

Empowering Youth through music, mentorship & the arts

Created by international recording artist, award-winning jazz vocalist, songwriter, producer, and veteran music educator Lori Williams, Positive Music for Positive Minds, Inc. (PMPM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people through music, mentorship, education, and the performing arts. PMPM connects students with professional artists and educators who provide engaging, hands-on instruction across multiple genres and artistic disciplines. Through workshops, artist residencies, interactive discussions, and culminating performances, participants explore music history, lyrical content, improvisation, and the influence of music on individuals and communities. By examining the messages communicated through music, students are encouraged to think critically, express themselves creatively, and recognize the power of their words and artistic choices.

“Words Are Powerful. Speak Wisely.” - Lori Williams

Mission Statement

A 501(c)(3) mentoring workshop and concert performance organization teaching students about the essence of lyrical content with a primary focus on jazz and popular contemporary genres - supporting the principle of choosing positive music that does not degrade gender/cultures/race/religion, use excessive profanity or encourage violence. If you are a middle, high school or university that is in need of this type of programming, please contact us.

Who Can Participate?

Through education, artistic expression, and meaningful dialogue, PMPM strives to help students become informed listeners, confident performers, creative thinkers, and responsible contributors to their communities. Schools, universities, community organizations, and arts partners interested in bringing this programming to their students are encouraged to contact us.

• Students: Middle school, high school, college, and university students.

• Schools: Public, private, and charter school systems.

• Community Partners: Educational institutions, civic organizations, music organizations, and community arts programs.

• Domestic and International Programs: Opportunities for collaboration with schools and organizations in the United States and abroad.

How Does It Work?

PMPM programs are designed to combine education, discussion, creativity, and performance. Workshops are tailored to the needs and goals of participating schools and organizations. Workshop participants will learn about improvisation, theory, harmony, and performance techniques.

• Vocal Jazz and Music Workshops

  Participants explore improvisation, music theory, harmony, rhythm, interpretation, and performance techniques while developing their musical knowledge and confidence.

  Arts and Mentorship Workshops

  Professional artists and arts educators lead sessions in vocal and instrumental music, dance, literature, drama, and other creative disciplines. Business and professional development topics may also be incorporated.

  Lyrical Content and Critical Listening

  Students examine the messages communicated through music, explore the historical and cultural contexts of selected genres, and discuss how lyrics may influence attitudes, choices, and relationships.

  Culminating Performance

  When appropriate, students collaborate with residency artists to create a school or community performance that reflects the workshop's learning objectives and supports PMPM's mission.

Length of Sessions

Individual sessions typically run 60–90 minutes. Multi-session workshops, artist residencies, and customized programs may be arranged according to the needs of the school or organization.

Customized PROGRAM FEES

Program fees are determined by several factors, including:

• The scope, length, and number of sessions.

• The number of participating students and artists.

• Location, travel, lodging, and related expenses.

• The specific instructional, performance, and production services requested.

Please contact PMPM to discuss programming options and develop a proposal tailored to your organization's needs.

LORI WILLIAMS

ARTIST, EDUCATOR & ARTS ADVOCATE

Lori Williams seamlessly moves from Jazz to R&B in ways the listener can feel at home with her in either genre. She has set the bar for vocalists to come."
- Terri Lyne Carrington (3x Grammy-winning drummer/composer/producer)

"Lori Williams' sensual surround sound vocals are like three lovers in your ears and mind at the same time." – A. Scott Galloway (Music Journalist)

Acclaimed international jazz vocalist Lori Williams is an award-winning recording artist, songwriter, producer, music educator, musical theater actress, radio host, business owner, and arts advocate with more than 30 years of experience. As founder of Positive Music for Positive Minds, she is committed to using music and the arts to inspire, educate, and empower others. Her annual vocal jazz tour and performance at music festivals have taken her to Europe (Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Ukraine), Japan, British Virgin Islands, and across the USA (performing at venues and festivals like The Atlanta Jazz Festival, The Barns at Wolf Trap, Berks Jazz Festival, The Birchmere, Blues Alley, Blue Note Hawaii, Bohemia Jazz Festival, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Capital Jazz Fest/Cruise, City Winery, Disney World’s Pleasure Island, Gulf Coast Jazz Festival, Jazzland, The Kennedy Center, Keystone Korner, Kulturhaus Poysdorf, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Middle C Jazz, Rams Head Live, Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Scullers Jazz, The Velvet Note, Vienna Jazz Festival, Westminster Jazz, and more). Her vocal jazz artist residencies have allowed her to work with and mentor students on college campuses in the United States and abroad.

Over the course of her career, Williams has shared stages and collaborated with an extensive range of celebrated musicians and vocalists, including Oleta Adams, Regina Belle, Peabo Bryson, Chuck Brown, Terri Lyne Carrington, Nathan East, George Duke, Stanley Jordan, Najee, Phil Perry, Maysa, Will Downing, Gerald Veasley, The Blackbyrds, and many others. As a veteran vocal music educator and private voice coach, Williams has received numerous honors for her contributions to the arts. Her professional honors include the 2025 South Arts Jazz Road Touring Award, The Atlanta Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association’s 2023 Excellence in Arts and Entertainment Award, Outstanding Music Teacher in the October 2000 issue of Teaching Music, the 2007 Superintendent's Arts Teacher of the Year, and the 2010 Vincent E. Reed Teacher of the Year. She was also nominated for a 2014 Helen Hayes Award as an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical for her role as Ella Fitzgerald. Williams has received letters of recognition for her performances by President Joseph Biden, who described her voice as “the voice of an angel…absolutely amazing,” Speaker of the House John Boehner, and Senator C. Anthony Muse.

A graduate of Hampton University, where she earned a B.A. in Mass Media Arts, Williams is pursuing a Master of Music in Jazz Studies with a vocal concentration at Georgia State University. Her dedication to jazz education extends to artist-in-residence appointments at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad, where she mentors students through workshops, masterclasses, rehearsals, and performances. Her educational work emphasizes preserving jazz traditions while encouraging the next generation of musicians to develop their own artistic voices. Williams is the host and producer of "Collector's Choice With Lori Williams", a radio program broadcast on JazzRadioWETF.org. Her program explores women in jazz, the international jazz scene, and emerging performers dedicated to the roots and traditions of the music. She also produces and hosts Sunday Jazz Lounge at St. James Live! in Atlanta, Georgia.

New Music: Here We Are

Released September 26, 2025, on Germany's Double Moon Records, Here We Are marks an important new chapter in Williams' international recording career. Recorded in Austria with her longstanding European collaborators, the album celebrates the creative exchange between an American jazz vocalist and an internationally connected ensemble. Featuring Bernhard Wiesinger, Christian Havel, Renato Chicco, Joris Dudli, and Doug Weiss, the project reflects years of shared performances and musical relationships across Europe. Williams contributes lyrics to the album, bringing together the expressive traditions of jazz, soul, and gospel. The album is being presented for Grammy consideration, with its international collaboration informing its Global Music category positioning. Here We Are is available through major streaming platforms and music retailers.

Williams' previous releases include six independent CDs and the singles “Too Late (It's My Time),” released in June 2022, and “Take My Wings,” an inspirational contemporary jazz single released in October 2023. The official music video for “Too Late (It's My Time),” directed and co-produced by Elise Perry, was released in July 2022.

Listen to and purchase her music through LoriJazz.net and LoriJazz.com, as well as on major streaming platforms.

Lori Williams is a Safe Harbor-approved employee/vendor.