was only a decent pianist and a likable but limited vocalist. However, he was also a talented composer, writing or co-writing dozens, of memorable songs like "Royal Garden Blues," "Everybody Loves My Baby," "West End Blues," "Sugar Blues," "Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do," and "Baby Won't You Please Come Home," and he was also a masterful organizer, responsible for scores of hot recordings issued under his name in the 1920s and '30s.
A superior businessman and an inventive hustler,
Williams worked at all kinds of odd jobs in New Orleans, where he moved in 1906. He played piano in Storyville, always keeping aware of the latest hits from New York; he was a singer, dancer, and emcee with a minstrel show, and ran his own cabaret. He also co-ran a small publishing company with Armand J. Piron and soon realized its potential.
Williams moved at first to Chicago, where he ran a music store, and then to New York, where he had great success with his publishing house. He composed songs, put together all-star groups to record them, and was also involved in selling sheet music of his hits; each activity helped the others.
Williams managed some artists on the side, including
Bessie Smith (whom he helped get started) for a brief time. Starting in 1923, he was also an A&R man for Okeh Records, and frequently accompanied blues singers.
A fascinating figure and one of the most successful black businessmen of the era,
Clarence Williams had a real ear for talent. Among the more notable classic jazz musicians who appeared on his records (many of which were issued as being by his Blue Five or Blue Seven) were soprano saxophonist
Sidney Bechet; trumpeters
Louis Armstrong, Joe Smith,
Bubber Miley,
Tommy Ladnier,
Louis Metcalf,
King Oliver,
Red Allen, and
Ed Allen; trombonists
Charles Irvis, Tricky Sam Nanton, and
Jimmy Harrison; clarinetists
Buster Bailey and
Cecil Scott; flutist
Albert Socarras; tenors
Coleman Hawkins and
Benny Waters;
Cyrus St. Clair on tuba; drummer/washboard player
Floyd Casey; pianists
James P. Johnson and
Willie "The Lion" Smith; and
Eva Taylor (whom he married in 1923) on vocals. Quite remarkably, all of
Clarence Williams' recordings as a leader have been made available by the Classics label on 14 CDs.
At the height of his power in the early '30s,
Clarence Williams' importance waned as the decade continued and swing took over. After 1937, he only appeared on one final session (two songs in 1941), concentrating on the business side of music. In 1943, he sold his company to Decca and became a shop owner in Harlem.
Williams was seriously injured when hit by a taxi in 1956 and passed away in 1965. The 1976 bio-discography
Clarence Williams by
Tom Lord gives one an idea of his many accomplishments.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi