Charles D. Williams is a native of Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. Williams has played piano for over 50 years. As a trombonist, he studied under Mr. Leon Brady at Sumner High School and supplemented this training with musical studies under the tutelage of the late Mr. Reginald Buckner.
Mr. Williams was a member of the award-winning Sumner Jazz Band that also attended the Paris International Jazz Festival in Paris, France, in 1972, and was auspiciously judged to be “the best High School Band in the World.” Mr. Williams also had the pleasure of participating in the Turner House Jazz Series in the 1970s, having the opportunity to play with such great jazz artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Roy Ayers, Cannonball and Nat Adderley, Frank Wess, Clark Terry, Ernie Wilkins, Rich Matteson, and many more.
Today, Mr. Williams performs as the pianist for The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, a role he has held since its beginning in 2003. This orchestra has backed many artists such as Benny Golson, The New York Voices, Wycliffe Gordon, Ernie Andrews, Houston Person, Harold Jones, The Four Freshmen, Randy Brecker, Bobby Watson, Deborah Brown, Sean Jones, Kirk Whalum, and many more.
Mr. Williams’ local involvement extends beyond his own performances. He established his Keyboard Academy, where he teaches students and inspires the next generation of great Kansas City musicians. He produces music, makes custom soundtracks, works with vocalists, mentors young musicians, and released his CD entitled Flavors of Jazz in April 2018.
Charles has been a member of the board for the American Jazz Museum since 2019. He is also an instructor with the American Jazz Museum Jazz Academy, where he teaches the Williams combo. In May 2023, Mr. Williams received a national award of recognition: THE DUKE ELLINGTON AWARD.