Michael Williams has been active as a blues and jazz guitarist since 1987, performing extensively throughout the United States and Canada as a member of Grammy Award–winning James Cotton's blues band, and with many other artists, including Mighty Sam McClain, Toni Lynn Washington, Michelle Willson, Jerry Portnoy, blues piano virtuoso David Maxwell, and his own band, Michael Williams and Friends. Williams performed on James Cotton's album, 35th Anniversary Jam, which won a W.C. Handy Award and received a Grammy nomination for best traditional blues album in 2003. He performed on Bruce Katz's 2004 release, A Deeper Blue, and his playing, songwriting, and arranging are featured on Michelle Willson's album, So Emotional. He released Late Night Walk, which features 10 original compositions with guest artists David "Fathead" Newman on tenor sax, Sugar Ray Norcia on vocals, and Bruce Katz on Hammond B3 organ and piano.
Michael is an associate professor in the Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music and specializes in teaching a mix of blues and jazz styles. Originally from Northern California, he has written jingles for radio and television, and performed on extended tours throughout Europe with jazz and theater groups.
Michael is an associate professor in the Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music and specializes in teaching a mix of blues and jazz styles. Originally from Northern California, he has written jingles for radio and television, and performed on extended tours throughout Europe with jazz and theater groups.
