Singer. Born Joseph Goreed in Cordele, Georgia, he was baritone vocalist singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs and jazz standards. He began performing as a vocalist in Chicago, singing solo at formal events with local bands and had his first real break in 1938, singing on the National Radio Broadcast. During the 1940s, he toured the country with the Tic Toc Club and recorded for Blue Lake Records. In 1954, he was hired as the male vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra and remained with Basie to 1961. During that time his albums included "Count Basie Swings", "Joe Williams Sings", "Joe Williams Sings the Standards" and he had the Top Ten hits "Everyday I Have the Blues", "Alright, Okay, You Win" and "Every Day". Through the 1960s, he was a regular at the "Newport Jazz Festival" and appeared on the television programs "The Tonight Show", "Steve Allen", "Joey Bishop", "Merv Griffin" and "Mike Douglas" shows. In 1985, he received a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocalist for the album "I Just Want to Sing" and won his second Grammy Award, for the release of "Ballad and Blues Master" in 1991. He appeared on the TV series "The Bill Cosby Show", the role of "Grandpa Al" and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Singer. Born Joseph Goreed in Cordele, Georgia, he was baritone vocalist singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs and jazz standards. He began performing as a vocalist in Chicago, singing solo at formal events with local bands and had his first real break in 1938, singing on the National Radio Broadcast. During the 1940s, he toured the country with the Tic Toc Club and recorded for Blue Lake Records. In 1954, he was hired as the male vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra and remained with Basie to 1961. During that time his albums included "Count Basie Swings", "Joe Williams Sings", "Joe Williams Sings the Standards" and he had the Top Ten hits "Everyday I Have the Blues", "Alright, Okay, You Win" and "Every Day". Through the 1960s, he was a regular at the "Newport Jazz Festival" and appeared on the television programs "The Tonight Show", "Steve Allen", "Joey Bishop", "Merv Griffin" and "Mike Douglas" shows. In 1985, he received a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocalist for the album "I Just Want to Sing" and won his second Grammy Award, for the release of "Ballad and Blues Master" in 1991. He appeared on the TV series "The Bill Cosby Show", the role of "Grandpa Al" and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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