Williams began playing tenor saxophone while still very young and played in the Martin Luther King Jazz Ensemble at King High School in her home-town. In her teens she was already leading her own band, playing local clubs and building a wide-ranging repertoire that encompassed jazz, Latin, R&B and hip-hop. When she was 20 she began touring with Patti LaBelle, an engagement that lasted almost six years. In 1996 Williams’ recording of ‘Secret Garden’, a single from Saxtress, which featured singers Teena Marie and LaBelle, spent four months on the Billboard Top 25. Williams has also worked with Prince and has made videos with Barry White.

An immensely talented player, Williams has built an enviable following among a younger generation of listeners and has created a satisfying blend of smooth jazz and contemporary pop.