Irv Williams

Irv Williams
Birth name Irvin Williams
Born August 17, 1919
Genres Jazz, Swing, Blues
Occupation(s) saxophonist, composer
Instruments Saxophone
Years active 1925 - today

Irv Williams (born August 9, 1919) is an African American jazz saxophonist and composer. Throughout his eight-decade career, Williams has focused on the Great American Songbook and the tenor sax as a solo vehicle.

Musical history

His first instrument was the violin before switching clarinet and then to the tenor saxophone.[1]

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. 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’s history.[1] While teaching in Public Schools in St. 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 Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie, and Johnny Hodges.

Since his 84th birthday, Williams came up with a stream of releases: "That’s All" (2004), "Dedicated to You" (2005), followed by one of his most acclaimed, "Duo" (2006) with piano partner Peter Schimke, and "Finality" (2008). 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 The Irv Williams Trio (with Peter Schimke and Billy Peterson) has a regular weekly gig at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis.[2] This is also the place where his latest record (title to be announced) will be released in May 2014.

Personal life

Williams has nine children from two marriages.[1]

Honors and Awards

Discography

References

External links