Background
The son of a preacher, Williams was born in Summerville, South Carolina.
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Sandy Williams
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Williams also recorded extensively with Ella Fitzgerald. The family of thirteen moved to Washington District of Columbia There he joined the school band, but was put on tuba rather than trombone despite his requests. He began taking private lessons while attending Armstrong High School and occasionally played with his professor"s sons.
Williams played with several bands before he started playing with the Lincoln Theater pit band.
His admiration of Fletcher Henderson strongly influenced Williams jazz musicianship which received notice locally. He played with Claude Hopkins in Atlantic City and later in 1929, joined Horace Henderson.
He became the solo trombonist with Fletcher Henderson himself but was fired after setting off a firecracker on stage. Williams became a staple player in the Chick Webb band from 1933-1940 where he later worked with a young Ella Fitzgerald herself.
Her performance of A-Tisket A-Tasket made her a star and the band her accompaniment.
He then worked with other bands including Cootie Williams (1942-1943) with whom he recorded with Ella again. His associations in music included Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, Art Hodes and Roy Eldridge who he toured Europe with in 1947. By 1943, Williams suffered from alcoholism, and despite his attempts to become sober, he continued to drink with many of his band leaders until he suffered from a severe breakdown with his health in 1950 causing him to retire from music
Although he tried to return to music, his dental health affected his embouchure causing him to quit music entirely.
He died on March 25, 1991 in New York City. He is interred in The Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York City.
Sidney Bechet Roy Eldridge Duke Ellington Fletcher Henderson Horace Henderson Art Hodes Claude Hopkins Rex Stewart Vernon Story Ella Fitzgerald Chick Webb.
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Born
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Died
March 25, 1991 (aged 84) -
Nationality
United States