Cole Williams

Cole Williams is a Jamaican-American singer-songwriter, actress, producer, broadcaster, and community organizer. She is the lead vocalist of the Cole Williams Band and the host of The New Orleans Music Show on WWOZ 90.7 FM. Williams has appeared on NCIS: New Orleans and Big Freedia Means Business.

Early life and education Williams was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jamaican mother and an American father. She performed in church choirs and studied classical piano in childhood and appeared in youth recitals at Carnegie Hall. She attended Brooklyn Technical High School and earned a Bachelor of Music in classical vocal performance from New Jersey City University.

After completing her studies, Williams performed as a recording artist and vocalist in New York and Europe. Her early exposure to gospel, soul, and reggae influenced her musical development. Her single “Little Me” (2011) addressed socially conscious themes.

From 2013 to 2015, Williams was a member of Pimps of Joytime, contributing to the album Jukestone Paradise and touring as a singer and percussionist. As an actress, Williams appeared on NCIS: New Orleans, Big Freedia Means Business, Sinners, and People We Meet on Vacation. French Quarter Festival, Blue Note NYC, World Cafe Live, and the Joshua Tree Music Festival. The band released covers such as Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come.

Williams has produced cultural documentaries for WWOZ, including CloseUp: Tank and the Bangas, Irma’s Story, and independently produced Unsung Heroes. She hosts The New Orleans Music Show, featuring local musicians and cultural programming.

In 2015, Williams released the track Stand Tall, produced in collaboration with DJ Cassady. In 2017, she hosted workshops with the New Orleans Jazz Museum, teaching youth about storytelling and songwriting, and performed a show titled We R African Rock. She also performed at C'mon Everybody in Brooklyn and released the single "Free", a collaboration with French producer Pierra Veullot. with the lead single "A Better Woman" appearing on The Originals Vol. 3 compilation. Williams appeared on WWL-TV’s Chip Forstall Sound Stage, performing and discussing her new music.

Williams co-hosted the 2025 Jazz & Heritage Gala and joined the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation as Manager of Community Partnerships and Arts Advocacy. She has composed jingles for local organizations and participated in music programs and festivals in New Orleans.

Williams performed at the Ooh Poo Pah Doo Lounge (2016), the Congo Square Rhythms Festival (2017, 2025), World Cafe Live in Philadelphia (2017), Treme Fest (2019), and in Nashville (2019). In 2020, she participated in I Can Do That: International Touring, a webinar hosted by Ron Rona of Preservation Hall. In 2024, she presented Give Power The People LIVE, her solo piano show organized by That’sMy Worldwide Entertainment and Lenox Road Productions.

Community work In 2020, Williams founded the Greater New Orleans Citizens Relief Team (GNOCRT) under the mentorship of civil rights activist Curtis Muhammad. The organization provides food distribution, housing repair, and advocacy for unhoused and underserved residents.

In 2023, she co-produced the podcast House the Houseless: Music & Action with Ropeadope Records, combining live performance with activism. ' Her lyrics address social justice and community issues, including songs such as Inherit the Earth, Organize, and Who Cares For The Houseless On The Holidays. Her music has been described as rooted in the tradition of Gil Scott-Heron.

She has described her stage persona as "The Punk Empress of African Rock", reflecting her fusion of African rhythm, rock, and soul.

Awards and recognition

2017: Best of the Beat Nomination, Best Female Vocalist – OffBeat Magazine International Songwriting Competition – Winner (2024); Finalist (2023) 2025: Elite Ms. Louisiana Petite – Titleholder 2018 The Punk Empress of African Rock: Testimony'' Other appearances

Television

Documentary and music films