TRUMPETER
COMPOSER
ARRANGER
Khrys (they/them) pushes the limits of jazz with powerful arrangements and band performances. Not easily categorized, Khrys blends their interests in jazz, anime, video game music (VGM), and Japanese-inspired themes into some of the most well-reviewed and popular music of its genre, whether seen live or on the internet. With 18 million streams of their works and performances to date, Khrys’ talent is well on display through their own big band project Khrys Williams and the Red Line Arsenal and First Steps, their debut album in 2022.
After graduating from Manhattan School of Music in 2017, Khrys arranged and performed most prominently with J-MUSIC Ensemble and continues to do so, but also performs and records on game soundtracks, and with other bands such as Split Screen, DiscoCactus, and Dom Palombi's Game Night! Through these works, Khrys exemplifies a creative voice that has its roots in jazz, but expands beyond any limits a single genre can offer.
“whoa, the stuff khrys does is pretty cool!”
…said all of the musicians that play in my bands.
THE IMPORTANCE OF KHRYS’ WORKS
Khrys is a leader in the VGM/anime cover music community. For the last two to three generations of music enthusiasts, Khrys and their colleagues’ covers define the new jazz standards. Fans travel nationwide to conventions to see their favorite VGM acts perform. But whether in a ballroom for 5,000 VGM enthusiasts or at a local venue full of those uninitiated, the talent and energy on display is enjoyed by everyone.
Even though Khrys’ playlists expand beyond VGM and anime songs, VGM is becoming more and more popular. North America accounts for almost 40% of the estimated $1.45 billion industry, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% until 2031.
For years, Khrys has dedicated their skills to the growth and development of collaborative projects like J-MUSIC Ensemble and Dom Palombi’s Game Night. Now, Khrys is focusing all of their energy on their own endeavors and honing their live performances.
social stats
18,000,000+
ACCUMULATIVE CLICKS ACROSS ALL WORKS AND PERFORMANCES ACROSS THE INTERNET
ON SPOTIFY
1m+
streams as a
featured artist
15K+
total streams
as main artist
100
spotify
followers
75+
monthly
listeners
on other social media platforms
800+
instagram
followers
400+
youtube
subscribers
250+
twitch
followers
100+
tiktok
followers
LIVE PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS*
81
tickets sold
on avg.
$8.63
Avg. band tip
per ticket sold
*Stats are drawn from monthly contracts across four shows by Khrys Williams and the Red Line Arsenal. Live performances were ceased on account of budgetary considerations at the time.
other pretty awesome things
2018-2020
With GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Patrick Bartley, Khrys steered the J-MUSIC Ensemble in a new direction — one that led to more than 7.5 million views on band’s YouTube channel and an album that Khrys helped record, arrange, and produce called METAGROOVE, an album with a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over $35K. (That’s more than 225% of the band’s initial goal!)
2023
Khrys recorded for the BAFTA Games Award-winning composer Austin Wintory for his soundtrack to the game Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical and its DLC, Stray Gods: Orpheus.
2024
Khrys recorded trumpet for Riot Games for the soundtrack to League of Legends: Wild Rift.
discography
“In celebration of being a beatmaker for ten years, I took a deep dive into my old vault of beats to pick my favorites and rework them. Digging in the brain of my past self and seeing how much I've improved was pretty entertaining!”
“Khrys Williams and the Red Line Arsenal’s debut album is an eclectic mix of jazz arrangements from many sources. From original music to anime soundtracks to hip-hop deep cuts, to re-imagined jazz standards, the music will take you on a trip that’ll have you wondering where the next turn might lead.”
A playlist of all of the songs that I’ve recorded on as a session musician and not a featured artist.
selected moments
The official video for “Cherokee”, another track from the big band jazz album First Steps.
A video of a big band cover of the Kimbra song “Come Into My Head” from the Red Line Arsenal’s first show at The Cutting Room in 2021.
The video for the lead single from Khrys’s big band album First Steps — “WHAT PLANET IS THIS?!” from the movie Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.
J-MUSIC Ensemble’s cover of “Tank!” from the anime Cowboy Bebop, arranged by Khrys Williams. Performed live at the Liberty City Anime Convention in 2018.
J-MUSIC Ensemble’s cover of “Days When My Mother Was There” from the video game PERSONA 5, performed at the Brooklyn Botanical garden in 2019.