Vinyl - J. Kimo Williams - J. Kimo Williams Sings Hendrix Session I

In January 1970, I landed in Vietnam with the 60th Company of the 20th Engineers in Lai Khe. On my first day, I bought a $35 guitar, which never left my side. The summer before, I had seen Jimi Hendrix live at the Waikiki Bowl, recording parts of the show on a small reel-to-reel tape recorder—something I still listen to today. That experience cemented my love for music, and Hendrix’s music became my refuge during the war.

Inspired by his sound, I formed a soldier cover band, The Soul Coordinators, and took breaks from combat to tour Vietnam, playing Hendrix and other covers for troops at firebases. My hooch (tent) mates—mostly Black soldiers—initially questioned my love for Hendrix, but through those jam sessions, I like to think I introduced them to a musical world beyond the lines of race.

On September 18, 1970, while out in the jungle with my unit, I heard "The Wind Cries Mary" on the radio. As the song ended, the DJ dedicated it to "the memory of the late, great Jimi Hendrix." I was stunned. At that moment, I knew music would be my life's focus. I played Hendrix’s songs deep into the night, especially "Little Wing," which inspired me to write my own music.

In 1972, I enrolled at Berklee School of Music. One of the first tunes I arranged was "The Wind Cries Mary," surprising my jazz classmates who asked, “What’s that music?” After graduating and moving to Chicago, I recorded my first album, War Stories, featuring that arrangement. Later, in 2002, I arranged "Manic Depression" on my album Tracking.

By 2005, I formed a cover band dedicated to Hendrix’s music. The first lineup included two fellow Hendrix enthusiasts—Ernie Denov on guitar and Mark Walker on drums. Mark’s drumming captured the essence of both Mitch Mitchell and Buddy Miles. We had so much fun that we jokingly ranked ourselves: if someone flubbed a passage, they’d go from Jimi 1 to Jimi 2, and so on. We played several live gigs, including Buddy Guy’s Blues Club in Chicago, where we were well received.

We needed a name, and I came up with The Band of Jimis (BOJ)—a nod to Hendrix and his Band of Gypsys. We performed under that name until Mark moved to New York, and the band’s chemistry shifted. Eventually, Ernie and I pursued other projects—I even brought him into my Lt. Dan Band with actor Gary Sinise.

In 2012, I left the Lt. Dan Band and moved to West Virginia, focusing on archival recordings. While sorting through backup drives, I rediscovered our 2005 BOJ practice sessions. Listening back, I felt the magic of those sessions and decided to resurrect them. In my garage studio, I carefully edited, mixed, and mastered 18 Hendrix tracks, sometimes rerecording vocals or bass to fully realize our vision.

Starting April 18, 2025, I will release one track per month, continuing for 18 months, with the final release on September 18, 2026—the anniversary of Hendrix’s passing.

This is my way of honoring the music and the man who shaped my musical voice.