William Tyler & Yasmin Williams

Though William Tyler and Yasmin Williams are both known as generationally inventive solo guitarists, they’ve long been avid collaborators, too. Tyler emerged as a sideman in the ranks of Lambchop and Silver Jews, a young guitarist with incisive lines and a sharp tone. Since his own records established him as a curious instrumental visionary, though, he’s made albums with Marisa Anderson, Four Tet, and Luke Schneider, not to mention his wide-open live band, Impossible Truth. He even premiered Electric Appalachia, a live film score, with harpist Mary Lattimore at Big Ears 2022. After stepping into the spotlight alone on Urban Driftwood, Williams brought along new friends for 2024’s delightful Acadia, with righteous jazz players Marcus Gilmore and Immanuel Wilkins joining her for “Malamu” and the American Songster himself, Dom Flemons, helping on “Cliffwalk.”

Tyler joined Williams on Acadia, too, adding supporting guitar to her multi-instrumental beauty, “Sisters.” Indeed, they’ve now been friends for half a decade, first gathering at a Tennessee cabin late in 2020 for a socially distanced guitar pull presented by Big Ears. Several months later, they partnered for a gorgeous duo session through the Luck Mansion Sessions, harmonizing on one another’s tunes as if they were discovering new terrain within them. They will cement their partnership in 2026, starting with a set at Winter Jazzfest before arriving at Big Ears. Their plans remain nebulous, but here are two stunning composers, players, and collaborators with a deep camaraderie. Together, they’ll take us someplace glorious.