Fess Williams led bands in both Chicago and New York in the 1920s and early 1930s. He seemed to model himself after Ted Lewis wearing a top hat and playing a slap tongue, gaspipe clarinet style and alto saxophone that is reminiscent of Lewis' playing, but with often more interesting and creative results. Williams' song Hot Town was the band's biggest selling record and it is a really good Hot Jazz anthem. Fess also cut a record under the name of Fess Williams and his Joy Boys while leading a band at the Regal Theatre (4719 South Parkway Blvd.) in Chicago in 1928. The Royal Flush band continued to play at the Savoy while he was in Chicago. Williams was also the uncle of modern jazz great Charles Mingus. Mingus invited his uncle to perform a set in his 1962 Town Hall concert in New York. Williams assembled a seven piece band that included some of Williams' old band mates as well as members of Mingus' band including Eric Dolphy. Williams' demonstration of his "circular breathing" alto saxophone technique which allowed him to hold notes indefinitely was a real crowd pleaser. This concert is available on the Blue Note CD The Complete Town Hall Concert unfortunately it doesn't include Williams' portion of the show.

Thanks to Rene Greblo and Robert English for his help with the recordings on this page. Check out Robert's Music Page for more great streaming audio on the web.