Ace Yuji Williams

Ace Yuji Williams is a 21-year-old trumpeter and composer whose sound is rooted in honesty, curiosity, and spiritual expression. A student at The Juilliard School, Ace brings emotional depth and technical brilliance to every performance — the result of a life steeped in music, family, and deep reflection.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Ace grew up in the music-filled household of his father, saxophonist Willie Williams, a Philly native and longtime staple of the jazz scene. It was during one of those early moments, hearing Lee Morgan playing through the speakers, that Ace was moved to tears — and chose the trumpet. That moment of emotional clarity became the foundation for everything that followed.

Ace honed his early skills through the Wells Fargo Jazz For Teens program at NJPAC in Newark and through direct mentorship from his father. Now, he leads his own ensembles in New York and Philadelphia, performing original compositions that reflect his personal and spiritual growth. He’s influenced by a wide spectrum of icons including Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Ambrose Akinmusire, John Coltrane, and Woody Shaw — all of whom inspire him to play with passion, sensitivity, and truth.

Ace describes his musical mission as a pursuit of peace through God — a desire to create music that acknowledges life’s adversity while pointing toward beauty and healing. His performance at Carnegie Hall in 2024 marked a high point in a journey defined by quiet brilliance and bold intention.

As a member of The New Philly Sound 2025, Ace is honored to play alongside some of Philly’s most exciting young artists — continuing a legacy passed down to him through blood, sound, and spirit. Though he wasn’t raised in the city, its musical DNA runs through his playing, a gift from his father and the generations that came before.

📱 @aceyujiwilliams

“Jazz is a vehicle of expression — art at its most honest.”
“Be curious. Find what you love in this music, and chase that with love.”