Claude Williams

Claude "Fiddler" Williams was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1908. As a child he was surrounded by music and learned mandolin, guitar and violin. He received his first on-the-job training playing with the Black road shows that traveled across the southwest. Gigs with Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy and bands in the hot jazz atmosphere of Kansas City honed his skills and Claude traveled with Count Basie's first Swing band in 1936. His career included work with rhythm & blues groups, collaborations with Jay McShann and tours with his own groups here and abroad. Claude is the leading exponent of the Kansas City brand of Swing and his violin playing was heard with the Statesmen of Jazz. In addition to his swinging violin, Claude delighted audiences with his charming singing style. He made his home in Kansas City gigging well into the twenty-first century. Claude passed on April 25, 2004 in Kansas City, succumbing to pneumonia at age 96.

Playing a series of gigs with Claude was another education. It was quite interesting to work alongside someone who was at it in the 1920's! He frequently told me that he loved diminished chords so "Blanche's Jump" starts with one (F# dim for those who care). This tune abruptly announced itself in my head while driving home from a gig with Claude. I was able to finish it before he moved on and he named it after his wife, Blanche. I will not soon forget the day we were sitting in a Friendly's booth, where Claude was relating the days of "jitney dancing" and how the man in charge would call for the band to play a "one step" or a "two step." When I asked him to explain the difference he grew frustrated with the inadequate words and proceeded to stand up in the aisle and demonstrate it. The surprised surrounding diners got more than they were expecting that day.