Biography
Joe Williams was a renowned American jazz vocalist celebrated for his rich baritone voice and swing-infused style, though 'JOE WILLIAMS WITH THAD JONES, MEL LEWIS' specifically refers to his prominent guest vocal role with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, a seminal big band formed in New York in 1966 by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis[1][2]. This collaboration produced the landmark 1966 album Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra, where Williams fronted the orchestra's innovative arrangements blending big band swing, bebop, and hard bop, backed by key players like saxophonists Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, and Joe Farrell, pianist Roland Hanna, bassist Richard Davis, and guitarist Sam Herman[2]. The orchestra itself revolutionized big band jazz during an era when the format was declining, incorporating loose small-group drumming from Lewis and sophisticated charts from Jones, while maintaining a Monday-night residency at the Village Vanguard that continues today as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra[1][3].
Williams' career with the orchestra exemplified his versatility, having risen to fame earlier with the Count Basie Orchestra in the 1950s, where hits like 'Every Day I Have the Blues' defined his smooth, authoritative delivery[1][2]. His appearance with Thad Jones/Mel Lewis marked a high point in fusing vocal jazz with progressive big band sounds, influencing the band's reputation as one of the most impactful ensembles since the swing era[1][3]. Though not a permanent member—listed alongside guests like Dee Dee Bridgewater and Ruth Brown—Williams' session captured the orchestra's powerful, intellectual energy at its inception[1].
The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra's legacy endures through Grammy wins for Live in Munich (1978) and Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard (2009), with Jones' arrangements shaping composers like Maria Schneider and Bob Brookmeyer[1]. Williams' broader impact as a jazz icon persisted until his death in 1999, but this collaboration highlighted his enduring appeal in big band contexts amid the band's evolution after Jones' 1978 departure to Copenhagen and Lewis' passing in 1990[1][3].
Fun Facts
- Joe Williams was a guest vocalist with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, alongside performers like Dee Dee Bridgewater (1971–1974) and Ruth Brown, on their iconic album recorded in 1966[1][2].
- The 1966 album Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra was the first vocal project for the newly formed band and remained unavailable on vinyl until a recent Blue Note reissue[2][4].
- The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra famously toured the Soviet Union in 1972 during the Cold War, showcasing big band jazz amid geopolitical tensions[1].
- The band's Monday-night Village Vanguard residency, starting in 1966, has lasted over five decades, evolving into the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra after Lewis' death[1][3].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Count Basie - Primary influence and bandleader who launched Williams' stardom with signature swing style (Count Basie Orchestra recordings like 'Every Day I Have the Blues') [1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Thad Jones - Leader/arranger of the orchestra; provided charts for Williams' vocal showcase (Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra (1966)) [1966]
- Mel Lewis - Co-leader/drummer; drove the band's innovative rhythm section (Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra (1966)) [1966]
- Jerome Richardson - Lead alto saxophonist in the orchestra (Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra (1966)) [1966]
- Joe Farrell - Tenor saxophonist in the orchestra (Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra (1966)) [1966]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
JOE WILLIAMS WITH THAD JONES, MEL LEWIS has been played 8 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2026 | 17:30 | WOMAN'S GOT SOULfrom PRESENTING JOE WILLIAMS | Sitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray | |
| Dec 22, 2025 | 02:39 | What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 20:38 | jivin' woman | Blues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr. | |
| Oct 19, 2025 | 06:14 | Eveninfrom Having The Blues Under European Sky | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Oct 1, 2025 | 16:29 | goin' to chicagofrom sing along with basie | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Sep 29, 2025 | 23:41 | I Wanna Know | Kitchen Sinkw/ Derrick Freeman | |
| Sep 28, 2025 | 06:37 | Goin To Chicagofrom Having The Blues Under European Sky | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Sep 21, 2025 | 16:35 | DON'T YOU WORRY 'BOUT A THINGfrom POTPOURRI | Sitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray |