Irv Williams

Irv Williams
Birth name Irvin Williams
Born (1919-08-09) August 9, 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 nine-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 to the 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’ 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 Vaughan, 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 Irv Williams has a regular weekly gig at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis.[2]

Personal life

Williams has nine children from two marriages.[1]

Honors and Awards

Discography

Filmography

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Irv Williams: A Life in Music". Saint Paul Almanac. 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  2. "Irv Williams: A Life in Music". KSTP. 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  3. "Saint Paul Almanac". http://saintpaulalmanac.org. Retrieved July 3, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. "Irv Williams Annual Retirement Party at the Dakota". http://www.jazzpolice.com. 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. "Release of PINNACLE by Irv Williams Trio". 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  6. "KAIROS dancing heart featured in new PBS Documentary, "Arts & The Mind"". Retrieved 2013-06-02.
  7. "The Funkytown Movie, music documentary (2012)". Retrieved 2013-05-24.

External links

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