Fess Williams

clarinet, alto saxophone · 1894–1975 · Danville (Kentucky)

Clarinetist and alto saxophonist, bandleader from 1919, then of the Royal Flush Orchestra in 1926 at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom. His flamboyant style, inspired by Ted Lewis, went out of fashion in the late 1930s; he was Charles Mingus's uncle.

Profile not yet validated. Written by Jazzency, not yet proofread: dates and facts to be confirmed.

Styles

• Harlem: Henderson, Redman, Ellington
• Symphonic jazz, dance orchestras

Landmark tracks

• Hot Town (1929)

Sources

• Source
• Source

Facts checked against these pages (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA). Method and licenses