Kae Williams Jr.

Kae Williams Jr. (Born 7th March 1956. Philadelphia. U.S.A. ).

In 1977 record executive Clive Davis signed Kae’s group to his newly formed label: Breakwater was the first black act signed to and released by Arista Records (for whom they recorded two albums). In addition to Kae’s business responsibilities as founder and leader of the band, he was also the songwriter, arranger, and performed as keyboardist, and vocalist. It was Clive who started Kae’s career as a record producer by recommending that he produce the band’s second album Splashdown Time. Breakwater’s most recognized recordings are entitled “Work It Out” and “Say You Love Me Girl”. In 1997 BMG Music re-released the two Breakwater LP’s as CD imports worldwide with sales exceeding the 1979 and 1981 releases.

In Philadelphia, June of 2001, Billboard and The Philadelphia Music Foundation held a formal gala ceremony, honoring and presenting to BreakwaterThe Urban Legends Award.

Because of the huge successes of the Breakwater, BB&Q, and George Howard recordings, record executive Bob Crasnow at Elektra personally contacted Kae and asked him to write for and produce a new act he signed called MASON. These recordings were done in Memphis, Tennessee. Mason was part of the production house of the legendary BARKAYS. Once again Kae added two more Top 10 R&B hits to his list: Mason’s “Pour It On” and “Double Exposure”. James Alexander (founding member of the Barkays) was so satisfied with the results of these recordings, that he asked Kae to produce two songs on the next Barkays CD, Your Place Or Mine. Adding to the Elektra Records adventures was a four-song collaboration with Pia Zadora (also initiated and guided by Bob Crasnow).

In 1985, record executive Rick Chertoff (also producer of Cindy Lauper’s hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”) recommended Kae as the keyboardist for that recording and later inquired if he’d also be interested in composing songs for rock artists, as well. So Kae began collaborating as a writer with Cindy Lauper and Rachel Sweet.

Performing rock and roll gave Kae the boost, which led him to Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles and Sausalito, California. That’s where he met more rock artists and performed as a keyboardist on several west coast projects. Some of these recordings included Eddie Money’s “Babe Hold On To Me” and Stevie Nicks’ (of Fleetwood Mac) “Stand Back”, to name a few. Although Kae has enjoyed 24 years of success in the music business as a keyboardist, writer, arranger, programmer, producer and engineer, he felt that there was still something missing. Kae realized he’d bestowed his skills on every artist but himself.

After 24 years he’s right back at the beginning, again. On his latest works he now features himself as all of the above. Kae appropriately entitled his new collection of recordings Full Circle: Appearing with no estimated time of arrival with music that’s stronger than ever.