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
In 1975, Williams starred as the titular character in Cannonball Adderley's
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.
This manuscript group is part of the International Jazz Collections (IJC).
Some contents of this collection have been digitized and added to the digital
The arrangements are organized alphabetically by title, but the order is not consistent.
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.
Consult Head of Special Collections and Archives on permission for use.
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.
Gift, Joe Williams' widow, Mrs. Jillean Williams, between 2001 and 2004.
Arrangements processed by Michael Tarabulsky. Container list created by Rachel Kerr.
This series contains musical arrangements used throughout the career of Joe Williams. Arrangements are arranged primarily in alphabetical order by song title, followed by the arranger in parentheses. The most prominent arrangers in the collection are Jimmy Jones, Buddy Bregman, Frank Hunter, Thad Jones, Sy Johnson, Bill Holman, Horace Ott, John Pate, Dick Palombi, and Norman Simmons. Other arrangers represented, include: Torrie Zito, Marl Young, Herbie Phillips, Frank Foster, Walter Donaldson, J. Fred Croots, Richard Rodgers, Bert de Coteaux, Oliver Nelson, Dave Ward, Jack Pleis, George Shearing, Buddy Gregman, Al Cohn, George Rhodes, Billy May, Jack Elliot, Kirk Stuart, Ronnell L. Bright, Bob Hammer, Bob Friedman, Tommy Deering, John Dankworth, Jerry Zervic, Ellis Larkins, Dick Palombi, Bob Brookmeyer, Benny Carter, Robert Farnon, Artie Butler, Quincy Jones, Scott Mason, Roland Hanna, Dick Hyman, Gerald Wilson, Wild Bill Davis, Russell George, Pat Rhoads, Michael Abene, Billy Strayhorn, Joe Reisman, Bob Zurke, Dennis Mackrel, John Clayton Jr., Lonnie L. Smith, John Oddo, Ernie Wilkins, Marvin Homlisch, Orlando Murden, and Jerry Lewis. Materials were received and processed in several phases with each addition added to the last. This means that the alphabetical order repeats four times. The arrangements are undated.
This series contains personal items and papers of Joe Williams. Materials include posters, artwork, blank contracts, programs, articles, and the script for Cannonball Adderley's "Big Man." Some of these materials are from tributes to Joe Williams, thus are from after his death. Other materials include manuscript scores, sweatshirts and t-shirts, materials relating to the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and a rhythm shaker.