Jay started playing drums at the tender age of 3 alongside his dad the late Judge Williams, Sr. who was a phenomenal organist in the Washington D.C. area. Playing in Church helped cultivate his sense of music and love for the drums. It wasn't long after Jay took interest in exploring other styles of music, his interest grew to appreciate styles like Jazz, Rock, R&B, Latin and Country.
By the age of 18, Jay found himself professionally working in the Washington, DC vibrant music scene. Jay's passion, hard work & dedication along with his experience eventually led up to him professionally working with numerous main stream artist around the world, such as; Yolanda Adams, Ben Tankard, Richard Smallwood, Jonathan Butler, Dave Koz, Shai, Stephanie Mills, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Jeff Lorber, Ann Nesby, Bob James, Stanley Clark, George Duke, Lee Ritenour, Angie Stone, Freddie Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Twinkie Clark, Ron Winans, Ledisi, Chuck Loeb, Sheila E., Kim Burrell and the list goes on.
Jay's versatile yet flexible gift has gained him local, national and international media coverage, as well as the opportunity to illustrate his art of drumming during National conventions such as; GMWA(Gospel Music Workshop of America),Black Caucus Conventions, and Bobby Jones Gospel Retreat. Jay has been viewed by many on various televised shows featured on BET, MTV, The Word Network, WHUR Christmas DVD Special and other televised programs.
Jay has performed in countless venues throughout the country and abroad. To name a few; Washington, DC's Constitution Hall, The Historic Lincoln Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, St Lucia Jazz Festival, Bermuda Jazz Festival, Bahamas Jazz Festival, Blue Note Tokyo and New York, Cotton Club Tokyo, Capitol Jazz Festival, Barbados Jazz Festival, The Smooth Jazz Cruise, West & South Africa, Hong Kong's Cultural Centre Concert Hall, Dubai Jazz Festival and many venues in London.
Jay also received recognition as Co-Producer for the 2009 3 time Stellar-Award nominated CD "The John Tillery Project". Jay also played on two recordings Gerald Albright and Norman Brown's 24/7 and Dave Koz LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE TOKYO which were both nominated for Grammys in 2013.
If you would ask Jay "What does he love most about his music career?" He would tell you, "Putting a smile on everyone's face."
