June 21, 2012

College of Music alumnus and bassist Ben Williams (BM '07) was named Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the 16th annual Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards held on June 20 at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. The awards honor excellence in jazz music, recordings, presentation, and journalism.

Williams released his debut album, “State of Art,” last year. In 2009 he won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. While at MSU, he studied with Rodney Whitaker and Jack Budrow.

Listen: Ben Williams on MySpace

Read more: New York Times ArtsBeat report on the JJA Jazz Awards, Washington Post report on the JJA Jazz Awards

For a recent interview with Williams, click here.