Joe Williams

vocals · 1918–1999 · Cordele

Singer born in Cordele (Georgia), raised in Chicago, who sang gospel before performing with the orchestras of Lionel Hampton and then Count Basie, whose singer he was from 1954 to 1961. He won a Grammy in 1984 for Nothin' but the Blues.

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

Styles

• Vocal jazz, scat, vocalese
• Swing, big bands

Landmark tracks

• Every Day I Have the Blues (1955)
• Alright, Okay, You Win (1955)
• The Come Back (1955)
• In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down) (1955)
• Please Send Me Someone to Love (1955)
• Ev'ry Day (1955)

Cited in 2 radio episodes

• Jan 19, 2026: Joe Williams, parole de bluesman (Pour qui sonne le jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Apr 6, 2023: Joe Williams, parole de bluesman (Pour qui sonne le jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)

Sources

• Source

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