Clarence Williams

Clarence Williams grew up in a musical world. His musician father decided to move the family to New Orleans. Clarence Williams started out as a singer, before becoming a pianist and writing his first compositions. He performed as a musician, but soon discovered an entrepreneurial spirit that made him a "matchmaker" of talent. He began publishing compositions by some of the most illustrious composers and performers of black American music, including King Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. He became artistic director for the Okeh label, which recruited in the early 20s to enter the new recorded music market. He also appeared on Okeh as a singer. His approach was to listen to the black orchestras that were taking center stage, composed of musicians of the highest quality. He then suggested that they be recorded in smaller formations, this time to showcase their solo qualities. On these recordings, he often played rhythm with Buddy Christian and Floyd Casey. Sidney Bechet, his fellow musician, benefited from this, as Clarence Williams scheduled him to appear on several recording sessions. The same was true of Louis Armstrong, to whom he called on several occasions. The pianist also worked with such blues ladies as Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith (for whom he was one of the artistic advisors) and Ethel Waters, among the best-known. His wife Eva, also a singer, took advantage of Clarence Williams's reputation as an accompanist. Other record companies sought his advice, including the most prestigious of the time. Later, he sold his publishing catalog to a larger firm to run a store, again in New York. But despite this detachment and the fact that he lost his sight in the 50s, Clarence Williams remained an active composer until the end of his life.

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