About/Bio

Born in England and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia from age eight, Will, mesmerized by the music and musicians he heard in his hometown, started playing the electric bass in rock bands at sixteen. As an undergraduate at Yale University he was finally exposed to jazz, and was quickly overcome by the music, and the sound and feel of the big bass. He was lucky to have great teachers during these early years - especially Homer Mensch, Mark Helias and Dave Holland.

Will’s big sound, strong feel and creative approach have made him a welcome presence on stages and bandstands and in recording studios around the world. He’s been blessed with numerous opportunities to work with, and learn from, revered masters (Dave Liebman, Ed Blackwell, Billy Hart, Chico Hamilton), cherished contemporaries (Walt Weiskopf, Vince Herring, Roy Hargrove), and great younger players (Chris Potter, Jon Irabagon). Will just wrapped up the second of two long stints as a member of drummer Rick Hollander’s quartet, with which he recorded five cds for the Concord, Timeless and Laika record labels, two of which featured his compositions, and with which he toured extensively, performing in major clubs, concert halls and festival stages throughout the US, Europe and Japan.

Will currently lives in Brooklyn and keeps a busy schedule working in the jazz clubs of New York, recently including Birdland, Jazz at Kitano, Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center, Smalls and the Cafe Carlyle. He continues to pursue a truer sound, a deeper groove, and a more complete mastery of the bass and the music. He likes to say that he’ll keep doing it ‘til he gets it right. 

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