From Trenton to Asia – Pt. 1 of Series: Trenton’s Own

Bass Guitarist: Keith W. Williamson photo: courtesy K.W.
Bass Guitarist: Keith W. Williamson
photo: courtesy K.W.

He was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, where most of those years were spent living in a housing development on the west side of town. He began performing at the age of 10 with the Fabulous Cavalier Drill Team. That and playing the congas were his strongest entertainment talents, until his brother persuaded him to try the electric Bass Guitar, and with each pluck of the string, he realized, there was something far greater musically that had to be exposed. After spending time with his brother’s music group, the Black Truth Band he left his hometown and headed across the country.

3rd from left Keith Williamson,The Black Truth Band, photo: courtesy K.W.
3rd from right Keith Williamson
photo: courtesy K.W.

It has been a few decades since Keith ” Keefer ” Williamson has stepped onto American soil. Yet he says his roots are still here. Keith says he was living in Santa Monica California when his stepsister approached him with some information that would set the stage for a career in music that took him from America to Asia.

Keith said going to Asia and spending time in Tokyo was an eye opening experience. “To see something different, to smell something different, to feel something different, this was total alienated” he said. “But it was beautiful at the same time because these people are very warm and kind,” he added.

Keith with Mr. Bobby Taylor and Hong Kong Band Members  photo: courtesy K.W.
Keith with Mr. Bobby Taylor and Hong Kong Band Members
photo: courtesy K.W.

After returning to America he continued to gig up and around California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State, which also landed the opportunity to work in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which became home base for a few years before returning back to Asia to work the club scene and the USO, PACAF tours for the American Armed Forces.

Keith with the Colonel & Captain receiving the award for entertainment appreciation  Photo: courtesy K.W.
Keith with the Colonel & Captain receiving the award for entertainment appreciation
Photo: courtesy K.W.

Keith with Mr. Philip Woo in Tokyo  Photo: courtesy K.W.
Keith with Mr. Philip Woo in Tokyo
Photo: courtesy K.W.

Although he did not speak or understand the language, Keith said he communicated with the Japanese people through music. He said the music is what saved his life. “It kept me off the streets gave me something nice to give to somebody whose world is totally different then mine, who dress totally different then I do,” he said.

Keith says the Japanese embrace R & B, Funk and Soul music. “If there’s anything you want, old R & B music, old soul music and you can’t find it in the United States, I guarantee you, you will find it here for sure,” said Keith. “They really appreciated the music we did back then.” However, Keith says, the Japanese view American music much differently now. “I can’t say it’s sad, because that’s just the way it became, but it’s not like it was back in the day where record companies or the artists themselves nurtured what they did, took pride in what they did, and practiced and rehearsed, then went out there and entertained folks and was satisfied,” said Keith. “These days it’s much different.”

keith Haines Presents R&B Pop Nite Volume Two @ Crocodile, Tokyo,  Japan, 2012/09/09 ý2012 Shinichiro Sugama All Rights Reserved. shinichirosugama.com photo: courtesy K.W.
keith Haines Presents R&B Pop Nite Volume Two @ Crocodile, Tokyo, Japan, 2012/09/09 ý2012 Shinichiro Sugama All Rights Reserved. shinichirosugama.com
photo: courtesy K.W.

Keith has performed with many great artists in the past such as Mr. Wanya Morris (boyz to Men), Ashanti, Mariah Carey, Rebbie Jackson, The late Mr. Ollie Woodson (Temptations), Mr. Bobby Taylor (founder of the Jackson Five), and a slew of local artist in Tokyo like,Glynis Martin Argie Phine, Davinchio,Keith R. Haines,Chizuko, Yoshihiro and, The Gospel Truth Sangers.
Keith now lives in Tokyo and continues to tour Japan and throughout Asia.

Keith with Curt Pulliam Tokyo Photo: courtesy K.W.
Keith with Curt Pulliam Tokyo
Photo: courtesy K.W.