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Joe Williams arrangements, 1940-1990

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Williams, Joe, 1918-1999
Title
Joe Williams arrangements
Dates
1940-1990 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.5 cubic feet
Collection Number
IJC MG 005
Summary
Joe Williams was a jazz vocalist. The collection consists mainly of arrangements, with a few other materials.
Repository
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public. Researchers must use the collection in accordance with the policies of the University of Idaho Special Collections and Archives.

Languages
This collection is in English.
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Biographical Note

Born in Cordele, Georgia on December 12, 1918, Joe Williams (born Joseph Goreed) became a prominent jazz vocalist with a career spanning over 50 years. At the age of three Williams and his family moved to Chicago, where he spent his formative years. In his twenties Williams worked as a singer and bouncer in Chicago. In 1943, while working at the Regal Theater, the manager sent Williams to Boston to perform with Lionel Hampton Orchestra.

After performing with Lionel Hampton in Boston, Williams began touring with the group. Though he was travelling and performing with Hampton, Williams' first recording was with another group in 1944, the Three Chocolates. After a few years, Williams left the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and eventually joined up with Count Basie. From 1954 to 1961 Williams was the male vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra. His first recording with them was Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings, in 1955. This record featured the hit single "Every Day (I Have the Blues)." Williams went on to have many hit recordings with the Count Basie Orchestra. After leaving Basie's band, he went on tour with Harry "Sweets" Edison's quintet with whom he recorded three albums. Throughout his career Williams sang on his own, as well as with other notable musicians, including: Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry, Frank Hunter, Thad Jones, Benny Carter, and many more.

In 1975, Williams starred as the titular character in Cannonball Adderley's Big Man: Legend of John Henry. Throughout the years, he gained other acting credits, including "Grandpa Al," on The Cosby Show in the 1980s, and appeared several times on Sesame Street in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983, next to Basie's. Williams died in Las Vegas, Nevada, his hometown of more than 30 years, on March 29, 1999

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Content Description

The collection consists mainly of arrangements, with a few other materials as described in the container list, and a rhythm stick. Materials are mostly undated. The suggested range date of the materials span the approximate years of Mr. Williams' musical career.

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Other Descriptive Information

This manuscript group is part of the International Jazz Collections (IJC).

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

Some contents of this collection have been digitized and added to the digital Joe Williams Collection.

Restrictions on Use

Consult Head of Special Collections and Archives on permission for use.

Preferred Citation

Photographer, "Title," date. Collection name, object ID. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The arrangements are organized alphabetically by title, but the order is not consistent.

Location of Collection

Special Collections and Archives of the University of Idaho Library and at the Bruce M. Pitman Center. Forty-eight hours advance notice is required to access artifacts housed offsite.

Acquisition Information

Gift, Joe Williams' widow, Mrs. Jillean Williams, between 2001 and 2004.

Processing Note

Arrangements processed by Michael Tarabulsky. Container list created by Rachel Kerr.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Laura Guedes; updated by Sara Szobody in 2024.
2019

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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