Clarence Williams

about

Clarence Williams (October 8, 1893 – November 6, 1965) was an American jazz pianist, composer, promoter, vocalist, theatrical producer, and publisher. Clarence Williams' Blue Five were a series of recording sessions that featured some of the best Jazz musicians and Blues singers of the early 1920s. Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins and Bubber Miley all were featured as soloists, and Blues singers such as Sippie Wallace, Margaret Johnson, Virginia Liston and Williams' wife, Eva Taylor all contributed vocals. Louis Armstrong was playing in New York with Fletcher Henderson at the time these recordings were made. Clarence Williams obviously understood Louis' greatness more than Henderson and featured him on 21 of these songs. Williams was born in Plaquemine, Louisiana, ran away from home at age 12 to join Billy Kersand's Traveling Minstrel Show, then moved to New Orleans. At first Williams worked shining shoes and doing odd jobs, but soon became known as a singer and master of ceremonies. By the early 1910s he was a well regarded local entertainer also playing piano, and was composing new tunes by 1913. Williams was a good businessman and worked arranging and managing entertainment at the local African-American vaudeville theater as well as at various saloons and dance halls around Rampart Street, and at clubs and houses in Storyville. Williams started a music publishing business with violinist/bandleader Armand J. Piron in 1915, which by the 1920s was the leading

top songs

albums

Presenting Clarence Williams

The Very Best Of

Complete Jazz Series 1921 - 1924

Nervous Breakdown (The Best Of)

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Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?

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Music from and Inspired By Boardwalk Empire

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Clarence Williams Greatest Hits

Complete Jazz Series 1933

Clarence Williams Selected Hits Vol. 1

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Whoop It Up

Clarence Williams Selected Hits Vol. 5

I Can`t Dance

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