Will Carroll is an American drummer, percussionist, and educator based in the jazz and funk scene of New Orleans. In his short career he has gained a wide range of experience playing in clubs and festivals; as well as teaching both one on one drum/percussion lessons and group classes.
Will started playing drums at the age of nine years old and quickly fell in love with playing along to classic rock and hiphop records. At a young age he was given a chance to take drum lessons with Randy Kaye, and he cultivated his interest in music by playing in bands throughout middle school. He continued to develop his artistry further in high school, and began listening to jazz during this time after gaining an appreciation for sampling in the hiphop of the 1990's and early 2000's.
In 2013 Will began attending Westfield State University. Here he developed a deep love for big band music, improvisation, musicology, composition, and performing orchestral music in the school's wind symphony and percussion ensemble. While at Westfield Will began playing gigs locally with his peers and teachers Joe La Creta, Ed Orgill, and Jason Schwartz.
After graduating from Westfield State University with a bachelor's in jazz studies in 2017, Will played for the hot jazz band The Lucky Five for two years. With The Lucky Five he toured the United States, playing at roots and Americana venues and festivals; this experience culminated in the recording of the album High Voltage Melodrama in 2019. During this time Will also began teaching one on one drum lessons.
Soon after recording the album Will went on to attend DePaul University in Chicago where he studied with Dana Hall, Dennis Carroll, Scott Hesse, and Tom Matta. While at DePaul he began playing in and around the Chicago area. Will earned his masters of music from DePaul, and in 2021 he moved back to Western Massachusetts to ride out the Covid Pandemic.
While back in New England Will began playing gigs with local funk and soul organ legend Beau Sasser's groups, subbing in the Amherst Jazz Orchestra and started playing with New Orleans native son Glen David Andrews's band. Soon Will became the full time drummer, joining Glen in his touring band. This led to multiple appearances in The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and numerous club and festival performances all over the United States.
During this time Will also began his teaching career, starting by serving in Americorps in 2021 where he taught bucket drum classes to underserved youth in Western Massachusetts. Soon after his service he was hired by The Community Music School of Springfield where he cultivated deep relationships within the local community and learned how important it is to use music as a tool for connection and community empowerment. While teaching at CMSS Will also worked at Noble & Cooley, the oldest drum company in America. Here he learned the process of making solid shell drums, manufacturing hardware, and the music business in general.
in 2022 Will began teaching at Darrow School in New Lebanon, New York. Here he taught group classes for music theory, directed the jazz ensemble, and taught music production and recording.
After joining Glen for performances at The Blue Note New York, The Dakota Club in Minneapolis, Saratoga Jazz Festival, and The John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Will moved to New Orleans full time in 2024. Here he performs at local clubs, continues to tour with the Glen David Andrews Band and teaches one on one drum lessons.
Currently based in The Ninth Ward, Will continues to mature his sound and establish himself as a prominent force in the New Orleans live music scene. His hard work and dedication to his craft, as well as his deep love and appreciation for the spiritual and physical benefits that music and art bring to a person's life will ensure that he will continue to share his musical passion with the world.