Mike Williams

Biography

Emerging from the Leeds College and Guildhall jazz programmes in 1990, Mike enjoyed over a
dozen years working on the London scene, highlights including extended stints with the various
bands of Simon Purcell, Ricardo Dos Santos, Kjell Berglund and Hans Koller to name a few
amongst many in addition to leading his own bands

Even in the early stages of his career Mike was requested to teach across the whole range of
educational contexts notably, residential courses in Sweden, and Finland and stints as visiting
artist at the Guildhall, alongside more mainstream teaching so when invited by friend and top
Trombone player Jeremy Price ‘to be a part of the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz program at its
inception in 1999, the ‘invitation ‘represented a positive natural progression.
Since moving to Birmingham in 2003 Mike has enjoyed an increasing level of commitment to the
‘Jazz program there with responsibilities ranging from the postgraduate level through the
undergraduate programme right down to the Junior dept., where Musicians such as Ruben
James, and Young musician of the year finalist Elliot Sansom , Alex Woods , Tom Niblock and
countless others who have successfully progressed to both undergraduate level and then go on
to engage the scene more widely , started out .
In 2015 Mike was commissioned to write his celebrated ‘Sama’ project combining influences
from Jazz and Sufism and was involved with Richard Isles’ chamber ensemble ,’ Microscopic’ .
Continuing his own small band projects with Phil Robson until he departed for New York and
latterly , hooking up for gigs with long-time associate and friend the brilliant Piano player ,
Simon Purcell , and two younger but equally dear friends Percy Purlsglove on bass and James
Maddren drums .

Mike continues to develop his own relationship with the music and the creative process in this
environment, leading his own group whenever the opportunity arises., and in the last two years
has enjoyed working with another longstanding friend and colleague Hans Koller on the exciting
‘Trinity Laban ‘Jazz program working with ‘the vanguard ‘of young players of this generation such
as Young Musician of the year Xhosa Cole.