Today, Dec. 12, the Fillius Jazz Archive is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of its co-founder, honorary degree recipient Joe Williams (1918-1999). The archive has created a video (shown above) from outtakes of a documentary on his life titled Williams: A Portrait in Song created by filmmaker Burrill Crohn. Combining concert footage with interviews and archival film clips, this video captures both the singer and the man at the height of his powers, reflecting on his long life in the music business and beyond.
A jazz and blues singer from Chicago, Williams became nationally known for his recording of Every Day I Have the Blues with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1955. During his career, he recorded more than 30 albums, appeared in numerous television and film, sang with many symphony orchestras, and received other honorary degrees.
