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Bert Williams

Bert Williams (November 12, 1874 – March 4, 1922) was a Bahamian-born American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He is credited as being the first Black man to have the leading role in a film: Darktown Jubilee in 1914.

He was by far the best-selling Black recording artist before 1920. In 1918, the New York Dramatic Mirror called Williams "one of the great comedians of the world."

Williams was a key figure in the development of African-American entertainment. In an age when racial inequality and stereotyping were commonplace, he became the first black person to take a lead role on the Broadway stage, and did much to push back racial barriers during his three-decade-long career. Fellow vaudevillian W. C. Fields, who appeared in productions with Williams, described him as "the funniest man I ever saw—and the saddest man I ever knew."

Birth and Death Data: Born November 12, 1874 (Nassau), Died March 4, 1922 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1896 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, composer, songwriter, piano, speaker, organ, lyricist, author

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 126-142 of 142 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 79566 10-in. 12/10/1920 My last dollar Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 79567 10-in. 12/10/1920 I'm gonna quit Saturday Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 79934 10-in. 7/12/1921 'Tain't no disgrace to run when you're skeered Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 79940 10-in. 7/13/1921 I ain't afraid of nuthin' dat's alive Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 80038 10-in. 10/24/1921 Brother low down Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 80040 10-in. 10/28/1921 Unexpectedly Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 80191 10-in. 2/24/1922 Not lately Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 30039 12-in. 9/26/1906 All in, out and down Bert Williams Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia 36538 12-in. 1/3/1913 You can't do nothing till Martin gets here Bert Williams Comic monologue speaker  
Columbia 36539 12-in. 1/3/1913 How? Fried Bert Williams Comic monologue speaker  
Columbia 49643 12-in. 6/27/1919 Elder Eatmore's sermon on "Generosity" Bert Williams Comic monologue, with mixed vocal trio and organ speaker  
Columbia 49644 12-in. 6/27/1919 Elder Eatmore's sermon on throwing stones Bert Williams Sermon, with male vocal solo and organ speaker  
Columbia W142420 10-in. 7/12/1926 Let it alone J. L. Bischof Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia W143772 10-in. 3/26/1927 Let it alone Chris Bouchillon Male vocal solo, with guitar composer  
OKeh W404628 10-in. 12/9/1930 You gonna get something you don’t expect Fiddlin' John Carson ; Virginia Reelers Instrumental ensemble, with vocal songwriter  
Edison 8957 10-in. 5/3/1923 Constantly Kaplan's Melodists Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 9836 10-in. 11/7/1924 You're gwine to get somethin' what you don't expect Guy Hunter Male vocal solo, with orchestra songwriter  
(Results 126-142 of 142 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Williams, Bert," accessed April 24, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103803.

Williams, Bert. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103803.

"Williams, Bert." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103803

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