Born in Torcy and raised in Lagny-sur-Marne, William picked up the trombone at the age of five, following in the footsteps of his two brothers. His earliest memories are filled with sound: his father playing worn jazz cassettes in the garage, Chet Baker, Nina Simone, Pink Floyd, the Red Hot Chili Peppers while his Tunisian mother filled the house with the timeless voices of Fairuz and Umm Kulthum. That blend of influences formed the foundation of his musical ear. By his teenage years, the sounds of hip-hop in his neighborhood had become another vital part of his identity. He was producing beats for local rappers even before he was fully immersed in jazz.
After starting at the local music schools of Torcy and Lagny-sur-Marne, then the CRD of Noisiel where he first encountered jazz, William’s path took a decisive turn thanks to pianist Quentin Sirjac, who became a formative mentor. Later, he entered the CRR of Paris and continued to the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where he studied under masters like Ilja Reijngoud and Bert Boeren. There, his artistry expanded beyond performance: through his research on micro-intervals and the maqâm, he reconnected with his Tunisian roots, and under the guidance of producer Attie Bauw, he developed advanced skills in mixing and mastering.
As a trombonist, William’s sound is as multifaceted as his influences. At times it carries the lyrical nostalgia of Chet Baker; at others, it bursts with the raw energy of Trombone Shorty. His palette has been shaped by Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Wheeler, Christian Scott, Marquis Hill, Logan Richardson, and Flying Lotus, musicians who, like him, blur genres to create new sound worlds.
Even before finishing his studies, William was already stepping onto major stages. At 18, he performed with Magma, and soon after joined Itiberê Zwarg’s group, performing alongside Hamilton de Holanda and Chano Domínguez on Live in Paris. He continues to collaborate widely, from projects with Els (drummer for Rema), to the collective Zazoo, which earned second prize at Jazz in the Park in Romania in 2025,to the rising funk band Amber Hunters.
In 2023, William founded Usoku, his most personal project to date. Entirely composed by him, Usoku’s music fuses jazz, hip-hop, rock, classical, and experimental influences, reflecting on human limits and the “prison of rules.” For William, the band is more than a musical outlet, it is a community of like-minded musicians sharing the same vision.
Beyond performance, William is an active studio musician, arranger for horn sections, and producer, lending his sound and expertise to artists across genres. His versatility extends to mixing and mastering, where his refined ear and training with Attie Bauw make him a sought-after collaborator.