John Williams

John "Bearcat" Williams is chiefly remembered as a woodwind player in various territory jazz bands during the 1920s and '30s who was married to pianist Mary Lou Williams. Closer scrutiny reveals his active participation in developments that contributed directly to the rapid development of hot jazz, swing, and bebop. Born in Memphis, TN, on April 13, 1905, he began performing as a teenager and formed his first working ensemble in 1923 as part of a traveling entertainment troupe billed as Buzzin' Harris & His Hits and Bits. While performing with the show in Pittsburgh, Williams ...