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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZWILLIAMS, Joe(b Joseph Goreed, 12 Dec. '18, Cordele GA; d 29 March '99) Jazz singer, very popular for decades, with big voice even deeper than that of Billy Eckstine; first famous for sophisticated blues, but equally at home in ballads. Sang in Chicago clubs with Jimmie Noone late '30s, then Coleman Hawkins and Lionel Hampton bands; first recorded with Andy Kirk late '40s, then '50 with Hot Lips Page. Worked with Count Basie septet '50, recorded 'Every Day (I Have The Blues)' c'51 (by Peter Chatman; see Memphis Slim) with King Kolax R&B band (Kolax d Nov. '91 aged 90). He suffered prejudice from black bandleaders and club-owners because he was too dark, but he joined Count Basie '54-60, became a star and helped that band to its last great peak: Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings '55 on Verve included 'Every Day' and much else (see entry for Basie). Another treat is 'Party Blues' '56, a joyously swinging scat duet with Ella Fitzgerald and Basie. Roulette tracks included a marvellous re-creation of the Jimmy Rushing classic 'Goin' To Chicago' with Lambert, Hendricks and Ross (see Jon Hendricks). He toured solo, expanding repertoire to include all kinds of good songs, with Harry Edison quintet early '60s, then his own trios with Junior Mance, then Norman Simmons on piano. Other LPs with Basie incl. The Greatest on Verve, A Night At Count Basie's on Vanguard; he recorded with the Basie ghost band '92. RCA LPs '60s included Jump For Joy, Me And The Blues, The Song Is You, The Exciting Joe Williams; plus Having The Blues Under European Skies early '70s on Denon, Live with Nat and Cannonball Adderley on Fantasy, Live At The Century Plaza with the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut big band on Concord Jazz. Nothin' But the Blues '83 on Delos with Jack McDuff, Eddie Vinson, Ray Brown etc got rave reviews; Every Night '87 on Verve was made live at Vine Street Bar and Grill in Hollywood with Simmons's quartet. Other albums: Every Day I Have The Blues on Savoy ('51-3 tracks), '60s compilation Chains Of Love on Jass (Stash), lush Here's To Life '94 with Robert Farnon orchestra. Played the star's father-in-law on The Bill Cosby Show with a presence as big as his voice. |