Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States
Died
26 April 2004 (aged 96)
Claude "The Fiddler" Williams (February 22, 1908 – April 26, 2004) was an American jazz violinist and guitarist. Williams was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1908, and by 10 he had learned to play guitar, mandolin, banjo and cello. Upon hearing Joe Venuti play, he was inspired to take up the violin. In 1928, he moved to Kansas City and toured with Andy Kirk's territory band Twelve Clouds of Joy, which also included Mary Lou Williams, and further honed his musicianship by participating in jam sessions. Count Basie discovered him in Kansas City and later invited him to p… read more
Claude "The Fiddler" Williams (February 22, 1908 – April 26, 2004) was an American jazz violinist and guitarist. Williams was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1908, and by 10 he had learned to play guitar, mandolin, banjo and cello. Upon hearing Joe Venuti play, he was inspired to tak… read more
Claude "The Fiddler" Williams (February 22, 1908 – April 26, 2004) was an American jazz violinist and guitarist. Williams was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1908, and by 10 he had learned to play guitar, mandolin, banjo and cello. Upon hearing Joe Venuti play, he was inspired to take up the violin. In 1928, he moved to Kansas City and toured with Andy K… read more
