James – trumpet

James Williams, III is a 3rd generation trumpet player with deep roots in jazz. Born and raised in Houston, TX, he started playing trumpet at the age of 10 under the instruction of his grandfather, and namesake, James Williams, Sr. He excelled at the trumpet and was a featured soloist through middle school, high school, and college. After graduating Cum Laude with his B.A. in Music Education with Jazz Concentration from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS in 2001, James moved back to Houston and began performing around the city with various groups (Mozaik Society, The Conrad Johnson Orchestra, TKoh!, etc.). In August 2004, he took a 2 ½ year sabbatical from his music career to attend Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, OK. In 2005, while at RBTC, he began touring with Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church all over the country, including such venues as Madison Square Gardens, Dodger Stadium, White Sox Stadium, etc. He moved back to Houston in December 2006 after graduating from RBTC. Shortly after arriving back home, he began playing all the worship services at Lakewood Church. Lakewood is the largest and fastest growing church in the U.S. with over 40,000 members. Every week, James, Randy, Omar, and Mike are seen and heard from all over the world by tens of millions of people through Lakewood’s television and internet broadcasts. When not playing, James enjoys spending time with his wife, Glenisha, web design, and all things technology and geek-related.

Over James’ 20+ year career, he has had the pleasure of playing with many world renowned artists, such as: Aretha Franklin, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr., Clark Terry, Coalo Zomorano, David Caceres, Danilo Montero, Dee Barton, Ernie Watts, Frank Lacy, Gerald Wilson, Horace Alexander Young, Israel Houghton, Jimmy Owens, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Kyle Turner, Marcos Witt, Nicholas Payton, Pharez Whitted, Sean Jones, Shelia E., Terence Blanchard, Terrell Stafford, The Coasters, The Four Tops, The O’Jays, The Tempatations, etc.