Singer Joe Williams H’88, a major participant in the establishment of the Hamilton College Jazz Archive, is the subject of a documentary that will be screened on Wednesday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m. at The Other Side in Utica.
Monk Rowe, The Joe Williams Director of the Hamilton College Jazz Archive, will present the film. Williams, who first came on the national scene singing with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1955, gained international fame with many recordings, television appearances, and a performing career that continued until his death in 1999 at the age of 80.
Joe Williams: A Portrait in Song, parts of which were filmed in Wellin Hall, was an initiative of the Jazz Archive to commemorate Williams’ unique relationship with the College. Filmmaker Burrill Crohn captured him in full swing with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1996 at a concert at the college and combined this footage with interviews and archival film clips.
The screening is free and open to the public. The Other Side is located at 2011 Genesee Street, Utica.
