Jorell Williams has been hailed by Opera News as having “a solid vocal core and easy, natural production” and the New York Times for being “magnificent” and “rich toned”, as well as having “perfect” comedic timing. An American operatic baritone with a wide variety of experience from standard repertoire to premiere pieces, he begins the 2022 - 2023 debuting in Pacific Opera Victoria’s production of Bizet’s Carmen, the Canadian Opera Company production of Salome, and the world premiere of Canadian Composer Ian Cusson’s Of The Sea with Tapestry Opera. He will also appear in concert with the Amadeus Choir in Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah with the National Philharmonic and Elmer Iseler Singers, Tippett’s A Child of Our Time with the Duluth Superior Symphony, and in concert with Finger Lakes Opera, Lyric Fest, and Brooklyn Art Song Society.
In the 2021 - 2022 season, Jorell performed the world premiere of A More Perfect Union with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Händel's Messiah with the Newfoundland Symphony, followed by the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon and Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel in a co-production of The Metropolitan Opera and Lincoln Center Theater. He will also make his company debut in L’elisir d’amore with Dayton Opera, and will be featured in concert with the Caramoor International Music Festival, Seattle Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Finger Lakes Opera, Kentucky Opera, Lyric Opera of the North, and Brooklyn Art Song Society. [Last season, he was scheduled to make company debuts with Pacific Opera Victoria in Carmen, and the Cincinnati May Festival in John Adams' I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the sky. Canceled performances due to Covid-19 will be rescheduled and announced at a later date.]
Jorell is widely recognized for his concert work, having performed as soloist with the Omaha Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, Orchestra of St. Lukes, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey, Juneau Symphony, Eugene Symphony, Geneseo Symphony, The Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra, Caelis Academy Ensemble, Essential Voices USA, The Little Orchestra Society, Hudson Chorale, National Chorale, and the Harlem Chamber Players.
His career has brought him on concert tour with the Mark Morris Dance Company, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Chorale Le Chateau, American Modern Ensemble, Essential Voices USA, and the Brooklyn Art Song Society. His versatility has allowed him to work alongside some of today’s most versatile artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Damien Sneed, Jon Batiste, David Lang, and most recently, Jennifer Higdon - for her 2017 Grammy nominated World Premiere Opera Cold Mountain with the Santa Fe Opera. He is a winner of numerous competitions and awards: most notably the 2018 Rochester Classical Idol XII Prize and Audience Choice Award, The American Traditions Competition, The Jensen Foundation, Gerda Lissner International Competition, Schuyler Foundation for Career Bridges, The Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, The Lys Symonette Award from the Lotte Lenya Competition, The American Prize, Serge Koussevitzky Foundation, David Adams Art Song Competition, Harlem Opera Theater Competition, Civic Morning Musicals Foundation, Harlem Opera Competition, National Association of Negro Musicians, and the Liberace Foundation.
An Alumnus of the Composers and the Voice Program at The American Opera Project, Caramoor International Music Festival’s Bel Canto Program, Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Westchester Vocal Institute, and Songfest at Colburn in Los Angeles, Jorell has trained with the Santa Fe Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera North, and holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music. He is an advocate for artist rights and serves as Chair of the Artistic Arts Council of Finger Lakes Opera, and is a member of the artistic council advisor for the Denyce Graves Foundation, On-Site Opera, and the New Music Board for the Brooklyn Art Song Society, using his experience to consult with arts organizations on their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.