The Thomas “Whit” Williams Jazz Quintet

About the Artist

Thomas (Whit) Williams attended Towson State University where he received his Master’s Degree, and also attended the Eastman School of Music and Morgan State University. He has been an instrumental music teacher in the Anne Arundel County public schools since 1958.

Williams has worked with and backed up entertainers such as Diahann Carroll, Pearl Bailey, Sarah Vaughn, Bob Hope, Nancy Wilson, The Manhattans, Barry White, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., and Lionel Hampton. His broadcasting experience includes recording for Maryland Public Broadcasting, and performing for soundtracks and television shows such as the Rosa Parks and Tom Jones television specials. He is the founder and director of his own 19 piece Big Band, known as “Now’s the Time.” The Whit Williams Big Band has had sold-out appearances at the Baltimore Blues Alley, and they performed for the Anita Baker/George Duke Benefit sponsored by the National Democratic Committee at the Kennedy Center in 1991. They have also appeared at “Artscape,” the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Baltimore Museum of Art.