Irv Williams Explained

Irv Williams
Birth Name:Irvin Williams
Birth Date:August 17, 1919
Death Place:Saint Paul, Minnesota
Years Active:1925–2019

Irvin Williams (August 17, 1919 – December 14, 2019)[1] [2] was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Throughout his nine-decade career, Williams focused on the Great American Songbook and the tenor sax as a solo vehicle.

Musical history

His first instrument was the violin before switching to the clarinet and then to the tenor saxophone.[3]

In 1942 Williams moved to Saint Paul, (Minnesota). In his early career, he played in bands behind Ella Fitzgerald, Fletcher Henderson, Mary Lou Williams, and Billy Eckstine at venues such as the Apollo Theater or the Howard Theater. Turning down invitations to go on tour with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, or Louis Armstrong, he chose to stay and become part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul (Twin Cities), history.[3] While teaching in various public schools in St. Paul, he played with the late Reginald Buckner. In the Twin Cities, Williams has played at every jazz venue, past and present, including the old Flame Bar where he was often back to back with such stars as Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Johnny Hodges.

Since his 84th birthday, Williams came up with a stream of releases: That’s All (2004), Dedicated to You (2005), followed by one of his most acclaimed, Duo (2006) with piano partner Peter Schimke, and Finality (2008). In 2011, Williams recorded Duke's Mixture, a quintet with Peter Schimke, Steve Blons, Billy Peterson and Jay Epstein; the set list includes five original compositions from Williams and his vocal debut on "Until the Real Thing Comes Along", together with two Irving Berlin standards and a pair of blues tunes.

Irv Williams had a regular weekly gig at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis.[4]

Personal life

Williams had nine children from two marriages.[3]

Honors and awards

Discography

Filmography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bream . Jon . Jazz saxophonist Irv Williams, who chose family over stardom, dies at 100 . . December 15, 2019 . December 17, 2019.
  2. Web site: Irv Williams . . August 30, 2019.
  3. Web site: Irv Williams: A Life in Music . Saint Paul Almanac . 2010 . July 3, 2013.
  4. Web site: Bream. Jon. Irv Williams blows his horn and 96 birthday candles at the Dakota. Star Tribune. August 10, 2015. June 1, 2017.
  5. Web site: Canter . Andrea . Irv Williams Annual Retirement Party at the Dakota . Jazz Police . May 9, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120624171321/http://jazzpolice.com/content/view/10164/115/ . June 24, 2012 . dead . July 3, 2013.
  6. Web site: Book Media Kit Saint Paul Almanac . Saint Paul Almanac . https://web.archive.org/web/20161102120912/http://saintpaulalmanac.org/about/media-kit/ . November 2, 2016 . dead . August 30, 2019.
  7. Web site: Release of PINNACLE by Irv Williams Trio . Megabien Entertainment . 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055825/http://www.megabien.net/index.php/news/30-news-2015/112-release-of-pinnacle-by-irv-williams-trio . March 4, 2016 . dead . June 19, 2015.
  8. Web site: KAIROS dancing heart featured in new PBS Documentary, "Arts & The Mind" . Insight News . September 5, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903094334/https://www.insightnews.com/community/9528-kairos-dancing-heart-featured-in-new-pbs-documentary-arts-a-the-mind/ . September 3, 2014 . dead . June 2, 2013.
  9. Web site: The Funkytown Movie, music documentary (2012) . Megabien Entertainment . https://web.archive.org/web/20130604161751/http://www.funkytown.us/ . June 4, 2013 . May 24, 2013.

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