Irv Williams

August 9, 1919

Throughout his nine-decade career, Williams has focused on the Great American Songbook and the tenor sax as a solo vehicle. His first instrument was the violin before switching to the clarinet and then to the tenor saxophone. In 1942 Williams moved to Saint Paul, (Minnesota). In his early career, he played in bands behind Ella Fitzgerald, Fletcher Henderson, Mary Lou Williams, and Billy Eckstine at venues such as the Apollo Theater or the Howard Theater. While teaching in Public Schools in Saint Paul, he played with the late Reginald Buckner. In the Twin Cities, Williams has played at every jazz venue, past and present, including the old Flame Bar where he was often back to back with such stars as Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Johnny Hodges. In 2011, Williams recorded Duke"s Mixture, a quintet with Peter Schimke, Steve Blons, Billy Peterson and Jay Epstein. The set list includes five original compositions from Williams and his vocal debut on "Until the Real Thing Comes Along", along with a pair of Irving Berlin standards and a pair of blues tunes. To date Irv Williams has a regular weekly gig at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis. Honors and 1984, he was the first jazz musician to be honored by the State of Minnesota with his own "Irv Williams Day".

Irv Williams

Edit Profile

saxophonist jazz musician

Education

Turning down invitations to go on tour with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, or Louis Armstrong, he chose to stay and become part of the Twin Cities’ history.

Career

Throughout his nine-decade career, Williams has focused on the Great American Songbook and the tenor sax as a solo vehicle. His first instrument was the violin before switching to the clarinet and then to the tenor saxophone. In 1942 Williams moved to Saint Paul, (Minnesota).

In his early career, he played in bands behind Ella Fitzgerald, Fletcher Henderson, Mary Lou Williams, and Billy Eckstine at venues such as the Apollo Theater or the Howard Theater.

While teaching in Public Schools in Saint Paul, he played with the late Reginald Buckner. In the Twin Cities, Williams has played at every jazz venue, past and present, including the old Flame Bar where he was often back to back with such stars as Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Johnny Hodges.

In 2011, Williams recorded Duke"s Mixture, a quintet with Peter Schimke, Steve Blons, Billy Peterson and Jay Epstein. The set list includes five original compositions from Williams and his vocal debut on "Until the Real Thing Comes Along", along with a pair of Irving Berlin standards and a pair of blues tunes.

To date Irv Williams has a regular weekly gig at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis.

Honors and 1984, he was the first jazz musician to be honored by the State of Minnesota with his own "Irv Williams Day".

Achievements

1984, he was the first jazz musician to be honored by the State of Minnesota with his own "Irv Williams Day". 1990, his picture appeared on the "Celebrate Minnesota" official state map 1995, he was named an Arts Midwest Jazz Master 2005, At the KBEM Winter Jazz Festival, Irv was one of three recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards. 2010, his picture appeared on the Saint Paul Almanac cover he has been inducted into the Minnesota Jazz Hall of Fame his former saxophone has been integrated into the "Minnesota’s Greatest Generation" exhibit at the Minnesota History Center.

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

Irv Williams

Education

Career

Achievements

Born

Nationality

Ethnicity