TOM WILLIAMS QUINTET
Tom Williams, a native of Baltimore, Tom Williams has led a sparkling and varied career since he began studying trumpet and drums as a child. His talent was recognized at an early age by many, and he began working steadily on both trumpet and drums while still a high school student. After matriculating at Towson State University, Tom joined the renowned Duke Ellington Orchestra, under the direction of Mercer Ellington, with whom he played the national tour of the Broadway smash "Sophisticated Ladies", also touring Japan with the road company. In 1987 he enlisted in the US Army Band and became a featured soloist in the "Jazz Ambassadors", and the "Army Blues". In 1991 Tom was a finalist and second place winner in the first "Louis Armstrong International Trumpet Competition" sponsored by the Thelonious Monk Institute.