Johnny Williams

John Francis Williams (November 15, 1905 – October 19, 1985) was an American percussionist from the early 1930s to the late 1950s. In New York and Hollywood he worked on radio, in films, and as a recording artist.

He is the father of legendary film score composer and Boston Pops laureate conductor John Williams, and the grandfather of singer Joseph Williams and pianist/composer Paula Arlich.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 15, 1905 (Watertown), Died January 1, 1984 (Los Angeles)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass, traps

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 31 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-07785 10-in. 4/13/1937 Carelessly Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and mixed vocal ensemble instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-07786 10-in. 4/13/1937 There's a lull in my life Kay Thompson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-07787 10-in. 4/13/1937 It had to be you Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-07788 10-in. 4/13/1937 Exactly like you Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble instrumentalist, traps  
Victor BS-046156 10-in. 1/3/1940 When day is done Coleman Hawkins' All-Star Octet Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-046157 10-in. 1/3/1940 The sheik of Araby Coleman Hawkins' All-Star Octet Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-046158 10-in. 1/3/1940 My blue heaven Coleman Hawkins' All-Star Octet Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Victor BS-046159 10-in. 1/3/1940 Bouncing with Bean Coleman Hawkins' All-Star Octet Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68796 10-in. 3/10/1941 Everything's been done before Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68797 10-in. 3/10/1941 I cover the waterfront Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68798 10-in. 3/10/1941 In the gloaming Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68799 10-in. 3/10/1941 Long, long ago Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68997 10-in. 4/11/1941 Hey lawdy Mama Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68998 10-in. 4/11/1941 I'll get mine bye and bye Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 68999 10-in. 4/11/1941 (Now) Do you call that a buddy? Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 69000 10-in. 4/11/1941 Yes Suh! Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 73128 10-in. 11/14/1945 I left a good deal in Mobile Josh White instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 73129 10-in. 11/14/1945 Did you ever leave a woman? Josh White instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 84911 7/27/1953 Crying in the chapel Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 84912 7/27/1953 There'll be peace in Korea Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 84913 7/27/1953 Feed me Jesus Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca 84914 7/27/1953 Smile it through Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca N 2895 10-in. 12/4/1944 Opus 15 The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca N 2896 10-in. 12/4/1944 The Sheik of Araby The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, string bass  
Decca N 2897 10-in. 12/4/1944 Night and day The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 1-25 of 31 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Williams, Johnny," accessed March 27, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/115064.

Williams, Johnny. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/115064.

"Williams, Johnny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 27 March 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/115064

External Sources

Wikipedia: Johnny Williams (drummer)

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Williams, Johnny, 1905-1984 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2009164047

Wikidata: Johnny Williams (drummer) - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q6267912

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/27255141

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

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