Claude Williams

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 Play Rhythm Guitar In His Band. From The 1980s Williams Performed On Violin Exclusively. He Died In Kansas City MO From Pneumonia. He Was 96 Years Old. He Was The Last Surviving Jazz Musician To Have Recorded Before 1930. read less