In 2003 , Williams released his first album , The Journey Within — a recording which contained his first single , “ Just Because ” — and featured talented musicians such as jazz pianist David Benoit , keyboardist David Sancious , mandolinist Béla Fleck , and bassist Leland Sklar . Williams raised his game even further with the release of his second album in 2009 , Moving Forward , which earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Album . This recording featured another assortment of talented artists including jazz saxophonist Dave Koz , Latin singer / songwriter Jon Secada , and the Jersey Shore ’ s own Bruce Springsteen . In 2016 , Williams graduated from the Manhattan School of Music , where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance . These days — in addition to performing with his group , The All-Star Band — he does philanthropic work with Little Kids Rock , a non-profit organization that revitalizes music education programs in public schools across the U . S . A . Spotlight Central recently had a chance to catch up with the fourtime World Series Champion and Latin Grammy-Nominated guitarist and composer before he performed with his All-Star Band at the Grunin Center of the Arts in Toms River .
We understand that your dad was a wonderful guitarist ! You ’ ve said that , as a child , you ’ d listen to him play guitar in the middle of the night and wake up and ask him , “ What is it that you are playing and how can I learn ?” But what about your mom ? Did she have any influence on you as a young musician ? Well , not necessarily as a mu-