Al Williams was an influential American jazz drummer, known for his distinctive style and significant contribution to the jazz genre. Born in 1928, he was most active from the 1950s through the 1980s, working with notable artists such as Dinah Washington and Gigi Gryce. Williams' signature sound combined traditional jazz rhythms with unique improvisations, characterizing the hard bop movement of the mid-20th century. His most influential work was arguably with the Jazz Messengers, a band he co-founded with Art Blakey, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the sound and direction of modern jazz.