Who the hell is Sky Bear and who the hell is Scott Williams ....or Kapila ..WTF?
With a loaded question like that, you could be here a while. His musical experience and unique personal life spells intrigue. Period. Bear's exodus from Utah to New York includes sojourns to Honduras as a Mormon missionary, and Finland, as an American cover band. Think Matisyahu as a mormon-turned-shaman, and growing up in Arizona listening to the Doobie Brothers and ACDC. Or not. Just listen to the music, or see a show. It'll come together.
Celebrating his 33rd year in the business,
having started professionally at 12, it is rare
to find someone who has gigged with the members of
Smashmouth, yet still remembers watching the first
man on the moon.
During the 80's, Scott toured on drums with The Blues Image (Ride Captain Ride), Club Nouveau (Lean On Me), and The Iron Butterfly (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vidda).
Living in Hawaii during the early 90's, Scott was quickly picked up by The Mountain Apple Recording Company with his debut album "Scott Williams", while working with other A-list performers including Willy K, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, The Cazimeros, Kapena, The Pahinui Brothers, Hapa, and John Cruz. He also got his SAG card there, performing with Richard Grieco in UPN's final "Marker" episode.
In '95 "Kapila", his given Hawaiian name and second solo album, reeled in two Hawaiian Music Awards, including "Best Live Performance". An avid surfer and skydiver, Williams still found time to produce and play trumpet with The Tantra Monsters, opening for acts like Sublime, Ween, The Toasters, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Dance Hall Crashers. He was also known to cameo with other A-list artists passing through Hawaii, including Beck.
In '96 Williams felt called back to the mainland via San Francisco, where, after some deep inner work, he re-emerged as "Sky Bear". Following his path to Boston, and on to New York, his latest endeavor "The Xplanation" is yet another incarnation from an extraordinary artist.