HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Clarence Williams

Birth of Jazz: Clarence Williams

Clarence Williams

Born in Plaquemine (Baton Rouge), Louisiana, on 8 October 1893 or 6 October 1898, composer, pianist, vocalist and band leader, Clarence Williams, got his start in music in 1910 by running away from home at age twelve to join Billy Kersands' Traveling Minstrel Show. This discrepancy in birthdate appears yet unresolved at the time of this writing, but Williams was in New Orleans by 1914 when he met Armand Piron with whom he formed Williams and Piron Music Publishers in 1915. To go by David Jasen who uses the earlier birthdate [refs below], the first title they published was Williams' 'You Missed a Good Woman When You Picked All Over Me', later recorded in NYC by Eva Taylor on 10 January 1923 toward issue on Okeh 8047. Their first tune published to be recorded had been 'Brown Skin, Who You For' by the Victor Military Band on 10 October 1916 toward issue on Victor 18203. After writing and selling 'You're Some Pretty Doll' Williams left Piron in New Orleans to open a couple music shops in Chicago where publishing as Williams and Piron Music Publishers continued until 1921 when Williams founded the Clarence Williams Music Publishing Company. Though Williams certainly did a lot of composing, credits come with caveat, for as a music publisher he purchased numerous credits from composers like Andy Razaf. Williams and Taylor married in NYC in 1921, resulting in a partnership in radio and recording into the forties.

Williams' first recordings for Okeh as a bandleader circa September of 1921 weren't issued: 'If You Don't Believe I Love You' and 'Roumania' [Lord]. Those titles were released from a second session on 11 October along with 'The Dance They Call the Georgia Hunch' (Okeh 8029) and 'Pullman Porter Blues' (Okeh 8020 with 'If You Don't Believe' flip side). 'Roumania' saw issue on Okeh 8021 with accompaniment credited to Johnnie's Jazz Boys.

'Brown Skin (Who You For)' Victor Military Band

Recorded 19 Oct 1916 Victor 18203-B

Composition: Clarence Williams / Armand J. Piron 1915

(Neither Williams nor Piron played in the Victor Military Band)

'If You Don't Believe I Love You' Clarence Williams

Recorded 11 Oct 1921 Okeh 8020-B

Cornet: Jules Levy Jr. Clarinet/alto sax: Joseph Samuels

Trombone: Ephraim Hannaford Piano: Larry Briers

Composition: Clarence Williams

'You Missed A Good Woman When You Picked All Over Me' Clarence Williams

Recorded 10 Jan 1923 Okeh 8047

Vocal: Eva Taylor Piano: Williams

Composition: Clarence Williams

In April 1923 Williams produced his first of six piano rolls, 'Sugar Blues', on QRS 2172, the same year he first recorded as a band leader with Sidney Bechet in his band, the Blue Five.

'Wild Cat Blues' Clarence Williams' Blue Five

Recorded 30 July 1923 Okeh 4925

Cornet: Tom Morris Trombone: John Mayfield Clarinet/sax: Sidney Bechet

Piano: Williams Banjo: Buddy Christian

Composition: Fats Waller / Clarence Williams

'Papa De-Da-Da' Clarence Williams' Blue Five backing Eva Taylor

Recorded 4 March 1925 in NYC Okeh 8215

Cornet: Louis Armstrong Alto sax: Don Redman Sop sax: Sidney Bechet / Buster Bailey

Piano: Williams Trombone: Charlie Irvis Banjo: Buddy Christian

Composition: Clarence Todd / Spencer Williams / Clarence Williams

Williams also formed bands surrounding washboard rhythm. His Dixie Washboard Band recorded 'Wait till you see my baby do the Charleston' with 'Livin High' in NYC as early as January 25, 1926 toward Columbia 14128-D.

'Wait till you see my baby do the Charleston' Clarence Williams' Dixie Washboard Band

Recorded 25 Jan 1926 in NYC Columbia 14128-D

Cornet: Ed Allen Alto sax/clarinet: Bennie Morten Piano: Williams Washboard: Jasper Taylor

Composition: Clarence Todd / R. Simmons / Clarence Williams

'Candy Lips (I'm Stuck on You)' Clarence Williams' Blue Seven backing Eva Taylor

Recorded 16 Nov 1926 in NYC Okeh 8414

Cornet: Tommy Ladnier Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins Trombone: Jimmy Harrison

Clarinet: Buster Bailey Piano: Williams Banjo: Leroy Harris

Composition: Mike Jackson / Jack Lauria

Another of Williams' main bands was his Jazz Kings which recorded its first sides in New York City on 25 January 1927 titled 'Gravier Street Blues' and 'Candy Lips' toward Columbia 14193-D.

'Candy Lips (I'm Stuck on You)' Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings

Recorded 25 Jan 1927 in NYC Columbia 14193-D

Clarinets: Ben Whitted /Bennie Morten Piano: Williams

Tuba: Cyrus St. Clair Bass: Leroy Harris

Composition: Mike Jackson / Jack Lauria

'Organ Grinder Blues' Clarence Williams backing Ethel Waters

Recorded 23 Aug 1928 in NYC Columbia 14365-D

Composition: Clarence Williams

'In the Bottle Blues' Clarence Williams' Novelty Four

Recorded 25 Nov 1928 in NYC Okeh 8645

Cornet: King Oliver Guitar/viola: Eddie Lang

Piano/celeste: Williams Percussion: Justin Ring

Composition: Eddie Lang / Clarence Williams

(ODP is the only sessionography listing Lonnie Johnson on this track w the Novelty Four)

'Wipe It Off' Clarence Williams

Vocals: Lonnie Johnson & Williams (falsetto unidentified)

Piano: JP Johnson Guitar: Lonnie Johnson Percussion: Spencer Williams

Recorded 8 Jan 1930 in NYC Okeh 8762

Composition: Lonnie Johnson / Clarence Williams

'Harlem Rhythm Dance' Clarence Williams Orchestra backing Eunice Wilson

From the film 'Murder in Harlem' directed by Oscar Micheaux 1935

Composition: Clarence Williams

'Uncle Sammy Here I Am' Clarence Williams' Blue Five

Recorded 22 Oct 1941 Bluebird B-11368

Vocals: Eva Taylor w Clarence Williams

Piano: JP Johnson Guitars: Grace Harper / Nathan Barlow Double bass: Wellman Braud

Composition: JP Johnson / Flournoy Miller / Williams

Williams sold his catalogue to Decca Records for $50,000 in 1943, which he used to purchase a bargain used goods store in Harlem. Lord traces Williams to as late as 2 March 1954 when he played baritone horn in Lucky Thompson's Lucky Seven, putting away 'The Night Hawk' and 'Bunny' toward Decca 29085, and 'Little Boy, Blow' and 'Moonlight in Vermont' toward Decca 29264. Williams died eleven years later in Queens on 6 November 1965. He had been the grandfather of Clarence Williams III (1939-2021) who acted in 'The Mod Squad' from 1968 to 1973.

Sources & References for Clarence Williams:

David Jasen (Tin Pan Alley: An Encyclopedia of the Golden Age of American Song / Routledge 2003)

Tom Morgan (alt)

Dave Radlauer

VF History (notes)

Wikipedia

On Broadway: IBDB

In Film: IMDb

Murder in Harlem (1935): Internet Archive Wikipedia

Armand Piron (violinist / music publisher): Discogs Syncopated Times

Andy Razaf (composer): Encyclopedia Wikipedia

Recordings by Williams (catalogs):