Born: December 12, 1918 in Cordele, Georgia, USA - Died: March 29, 1999 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards. Williams worked with Coleman Hawkins and Lionel Hampton before joining Count Basie's band in 1954. After leaving the Basie band in 1961, Williams led small ensembles singing popular songs, ballads, and blues. He was a frequent performer on television, both as a singer and as an actor. His album Nothin' but the Blues won a Grammy Award in 1984.

Do NOT confuse with blues songwriter/performer Big Joe Williams (Baby Please Don't Go) or Jody Williams (Billy's Blues).