Biography

John Williams Biography

John Williams was born in Queens, New York on February 8, 1932. He is the oldest of two brothers, Jerry and Don, and a sister, Joan. He came from a musical family and his father was a jazz drummer. At age seven he studied piano, and also learned to play the trombone, the trumpet, and the clarinet. In 1948, he moved to Los Angeles with his family. He attended North Hollywood High School, where he played, arranged, and composed for the school band. After graduating in 1950, he attended UCLA and studied compositions privately with Bobby Van Eps. In 1952, he was drafted into the Air Force. During his service, he conducted and arranged music for service bands. After his discharge in 1954, he spent a year at

the Julliard School of Music and studied piano with Rosina Lhevinne. While in New York he also worked as a jazz pianist in both clubs and on recordings. Again Mr. Williams moved to Los Angeles where he began his career in the film studios working with composers such as Bernard Herrmann, Alfred Newman, and Franz Waxman. He went on to write music for many television programs in the 1960's, winning two Emmys for his work. In January 1980, John Williams was named nineteenth conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra since its founding in 1885. He went on to write scores for 80 movies along with many exquisite concert works.

Some personal info:
John Williams was married to Barbara in 1956, but she died in 1974. He was remarried to Samantha Winslow on June 9, 1980, at King's Chapel House in Boston. He has two sons, Joseph and Mark, both of whom also have musical careers, and a daughter named Jennifer who is presently a doctor. Mr. Williams resides in Boston Massachusetts where he continues to write and conduct with the Boston Pops Orchestra.