Billy is known as a drummer of the highest caliber; known as such for his revelational improvisation and timing, and an undeniable stage presence reminiscent of the great jazz drummers before him. With diverse backgrounds, his projects are a summation of his collective life and musical experiences.
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​​​​​​At sixteen, Billy attended the Maryland Gifted and Talented Institute for High School Students. It was here when he first heard about Berklee School of Music. At seventeen he went to the Shenandoah Music Camp and heard one of Stanley Clarke's recordings featuring Tony Williams. After listening to one of Miles Davis’ recording that also featured Tony, Billy said he was mesmerized by this drummers style. He was overwhelmed with the sound and kept trying to learn this technique, but felt as if he didn't have enough hands. Billy learned that Tony Williams' teacher was Alan Dawson who had taught at Berklee at one time and was still teaching privately in the area. He had no doubt about what to do next. Move to Boston and attend Berklee College of Music.
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While attending Berklee and studying privately with Alan Dawson Billy absorbed everything he taught. Alan became his mentor and even a Father figure. Finally, Alan announced that he had taught him everything he could and it was time to go out in the world to perform. After a short tour with Walter Davis Jr, word spread and the calls began to come. Donald Byrd, Ahmad Jamal and Dianne Reeves were some of the first artists who hired Billy for their tours. From this exposure, Billy caught the attention of George Duke, Mike Mineari and Steps Ahead, Najee, Freddie Jackson, Michael Franks, Bob James and the calls kept coming.
Eventually Dave Holland invited Billy to join his quintet. As the drummer for the Dave Holland Quintet, he brought an element of funk to the band, creating a new sound for them and helped to catapult them into a premiere group in jazz. Critics frequently lauded his performances, particularly his expertise with odd meters. He received Grammy Awards for his work with Dave Holland as well as several nominations. Billy later joined Chris Botti's band. Chris' band forged opportunities to perform with Sting, Glady's Knight, Burt Bacharach, Steven Tyler, John Mayer. Billy was also able to perform live and record with world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Billy took a brief hiatus from Botti to perform and record with legendary pianist Hank Jones and simultaneously perform with these highly renowned jazz musicians. Hank Jones and George Mraz. Billy says it was an incredible honor, masterclass like, to perform nightly with two of the greatest jazz musicians ever to grace the bandstand.
From 2016-2024 Billy was Dave Sanborn's primary drummer. Outside of Alan Dawson and Ahmad Jamal, Billy credits Dave with providing the greatest platform of diverse music to date. Dave Sanborn was not just an incredible talent but one of Billy's most invaluable mentors. "I credit Dave to never cheat the music. Leave it all on the stage."​​​​
​​​​​​​​​Although he has achieved notable success as a sideman in concert and on recordings, Billy's first love is creating and performing his own music. Influenced by the funk and fusion music of his youth, Billy began to write his own music and made his first recording, “While Ur Sleepin’”. Later he assembled some of his peers, Kenny Davis, Mike Sim and George Colligan to form BK Groove. They came together as seasoned musicians, reading each other like a favorite book, anticipating the next move perfectly, stepping out to solo at the perfect moment and keeping the groove going at all times. Their music is diverse, original and inspired. They began performing and developing a new energy of their own which led them back to the studio to record. Like Billy, they all had diverse backgrounds and the project became a summation of their collective musical experiences. His second album, Pot's & Pans is a jazz/funk/fusion project with a special nod to drummers. His third album Rhythm Dancer is a live project of BKGroove. His Trio debut, Descension Rising was Billy's fourth recording which featured Buster Williams, James Genus and Henry Hey. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
His fifth and newest album is with another stellar Trio. This Trio includes Geoffrey Keezer on piano and Essiet Essiet on bass. Recalling his experiences with Ahmad Jamal, Hank Jones, and Donald Brown, this recording is loaded with standards. Upbeat but with an high priority of swing and groove, Billy is able to maintain, just as he does on stage, create a playful sonic resonance for the listener.
The drummer, educator and now author is sharing his experiences with his fans around the world. However he always says nothing is greater than sharing each and every moment of his history as well as knowledge with his students at Berklee. Billy says “no doubt besides my family my students are my greatest inspiration.”