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Vocalist - United States - Swing / Vocal Jazz

Joe
Williams

1918 - 1999, United States

Joe Williams had one of those voices that could fill a room without raising to a shout — deep, warm, and built for the blues even when he was singing something else entirely. He spent most of the 1950s fronting the Count Basie band and turned a twelve-bar blues into a signature so strong that people forgot anyone else had ever sung it.

Vocal JazzSwingSoul Jazz
Joe Williams

The Blues, Sung Like a Gentleman

Williams grew up in Georgia, moved to Chicago as a kid, and spent years singing in clubs before he got his break joining Count Basie's band in 1954. The pairing clicked almost instantly. His version of "Every Day I Have the Blues" from Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings (1955) turned into a hit nobody expected and became the song he'd be asked to sing for the rest of his life, whether he wanted to or not. He didn't seem to mind. There's a reason it worked so well live — that voice had enough power to cut through a full horn section without ever sounding strained.

Facts
BornDecember 12, 1918, Cordele, Georgia
DiedMarch 29, 1999, Las Vegas, Nevada
InstrumentVocals
Active1930s - 1990s
Known for"Every Day I Have the Blues" with the Count Basie Orchestra
Connections
Count BasieBandleader, Kansas City / New York
→
Jimmy RushingPredecessor as Basie's blues singer, Kansas City
→
Thad JonesCollaborator, New York
→
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Discography

31 records
THE GREATEST!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards
THE GREATEST!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards
1955
♫
Breakfast Dance and Barbecue
1959
Everyday I Have the Blues
Everyday I Have the Blues
1959
Jump For Joy
Jump For Joy
1963
Something Old, New And Blue
Something Old, New And Blue
1967
Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones / Mel Lewis: The Jazz Orchestra
Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones / Mel Lewis: The Jazz Orchestra
1968
I Just Want to Sing
I Just Want to Sing
1985
A Man Ain’t Supposed to Cry
A Man Ain’t Supposed to Cry
1985
Having the Blues Under a European Sky
Having the Blues Under a European Sky
1985
Dave Pell's Prez Conference
Dave Pell's Prez Conference
1986
♫
The Overwhelming Joe Williams
1988
In Good Company
In Good Company
1989
Joe Williams With Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
Joe Williams With Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
1990
That Holiday Feelin'
That Holiday Feelin'
1990
A Swingin' Night at Birdland
A Swingin' Night at Birdland
1991
Joe Williams Live
Joe Williams Live
1991
A Night at Count Basie’s
A Night at Count Basie’s
1992
♫
Joe Williams Sings Everyday
1992
Every Night (live at Vine St.)
Every Night (live at Vine St.)
1992
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Ballad and Blues Master
1992
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Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings
1993
♫
Live at Orchestra Hall, Detroit
1993
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Joe Williams & Friends
1994
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Feel the Spirit
1994
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Live in Vegas
1995
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One O’Clock Jump
1999
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Me and the Blues
1999
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Together / Have a Good Time
2001
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The Heart and Soul of Joe Williams and George Shearing
2001
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Blues in My Heart
2002
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Havin' a Good Time
2005

Collaborations

Live on Youtube

Explore Further

Selected connections
Vocalist, United States
Jimmy Rushing
The blues shouter who held Williams' job with Basie before him — hear where the tradition started.
Explore →
Album, 1955
Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings
The record that made Williams a star and gave the world his definitive blues.
Explore →
Bandleader, United States
Count Basie
The partnership that defined Williams' sound and gave him the stage he needed.
Explore →

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