Ben Williams
Electric Bass

Ben Williams

(1984–)

Washington, D.C., United States

Washington, D.C.-born bassist who won the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition. Grammy winner as a member of Pat Metheny's Unity Band. Has also worked with Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, and Lauryn Hill. Active with TBN Trio alongside Nate Smith and Takeshi Ohbayashi, including an NPR Tiny Desk Concert backing Yu Sakai.

Singer-songwriter Yu SakaiSakai YuSakai Yuさかいゆう became the first Japanese singer-songwriter to appear on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert (April 2025), performing with TBN Trio featuring Nate SmithNate SmithNate Smithネイト・スミス (drums) and Ben WilliamsBen WilliamsBen Williamsベン・ウィリアムズ (bass). It happened because Smith invited the NPR crew to their Shibuya show. Sakai has also recorded with John ScofieldJohn ScofieldJohn Scofieldジョン・スコフィールド, Terrace MartinTerrace MartinTerrace Martinテラス・マーティン, and Nicholas PaytonNicholas PaytonNicholas Paytonニコラス・ペイトン across previous albums — a rare J-pop artist woven into both the LA and NYC jazz scenes.

— Yu Sakai feat. TBN Trio: Tiny Desk Concert