Having earnestly developed himself as a stylistically versatile musician and an individualistic improviser, Willie has enjoyed an exciting career as one of the Northwest‘s premier saxophonists. Being no stranger to the road, he has toured the United States, Europe, Australia and South Korea with such groups as the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, the Darrell Grant Quartet: Truth and Reconciliation, Ural Thomas and the Pain, Nick Waterhouse and many others.

As a regular member, guest artist or top call sub, Willie has played with such groups and artists as the Dan Faehnle Quartet (hard bop/jazz), the Andrew Oliver Sextet (original progressive jazz), Bobby Torres Quartet (latin jazz), the Stolen Sweets (trad jazz), the Pete Krebs Trio (gypsy jazz, swing), Johnny Boyd (mid century rock and jump swing), The Lily Wilde Orchestra (jump swing big band), the Tony Starlight Orchestra (stage band), David Ornette Cherry (free jazz), Debra Arlyn (singer song writer), the Portland Jazz Orchestra (repertoire big band), the Rob Scheps Big Band, and the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (original compositions and arrangements for large ensemble).

Raised in Bellingham, Washington, Willie first studied the saxophone at age 11 with multi-reed instrumentalist Ray Downey. In 1996, he attended Western Washington University studying jazz improvisation, arranging, and played regularly with Chuck Israels (former bassist with the Bill Evens Trio and musical director of the National Jazz Ensemble, now known as the Lincoln Center Orchestra), and took private lessons with B.C. saxophonist Mike Allen. Receiving a Laurels Scholarship in 1999, Willie went on to study at Portland State University. There he studied jazz improvisation and arranging with pianist Darrell Grant and private lessons with saxophonists Rob Scheps and John Gross.