Anthony Tillmon Williams, known as Tony Williams, was an influential American jazz drummer born on December 12, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was introduced to music by his father, Tillman Williams, a saxophonist. Tony began playing drums at a young age and was performing professionally by the age of 13. He studied under drummer Alan Dawson and was heavily influenced by jazz greats such as Max Roach and Art Blakey.

Williams gained early recognition for his exceptional talent, and by age 15, he was considered one of the best drummers in Boston. His big break came when saxophonist Jackie McLean invited him to New York, where he soon joined Miles Davis's Second Great Quintet at the age of 17. His innovative drumming style, characterized by polyrhythms and metric modulation, played a crucial role in redefining the jazz rhythm section.

In 1969, Williams formed the Tony Williams Lifetime, a pioneering jazz fusion group. He continued to innovate and push the boundaries of jazz throughout his career, collaborating with a wide range of artists including Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, and Wynton Marsalis. Williams was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 1997.

Tony Williams passed away on February 23, 1997, in Daly City, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential drummers in the history of jazz.