JAM Magazine: April/May 1997 Issue: KC/DC

by Gregg Ottinger

Claude Williams Celebrates 89 In The Nest
The Emperor Nero may have played his fiddle while Rome burned, but the music could not have been any hotter than it was on February 22 at the Nest Lounge in Washington D.C. On that night, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, with the help of his Swing String Trio, celebrated his 89th birthday.

It was quite a weekend for Mr. Williams, who played five gigs in two days. In addition to two nights at the Nest, he also appeared three times at the American Museum of History at the Smithsonian Institution, for students and the general public, in celebration of Black History Month. Claude has appeared at the Smithsonian before, most recently as part of President Clinton's first inaugural festivities in 1993.

On February 21 of the recent trip, Mr. Williams' most current CD, Swing Time in New York, received a glowing review in The Washington Post by music critic (and managing editor of Jazz Times) Mike Joyce:

"For jazz violinist Claude Williams, age is no object and certainly no obstacle. Though he'll celebrate his 89th birthday while performing in Washington this weekend, his brand of Kansas City-bred swing, blues and balladry remains forever young... Williams (is) the session's real spark plug, playing (and occasionally singing) with infectious spirit as he cut a wide swath through decades of swing, blues and pop... Williams doesn't fiddle around when it comes time to infuse the romantic melody with a contagious swing pulse."

And Mr. Williams' swinging pulse was never more contagious than it was both nights at the Nest, an elegant nightclub in D.C.'s classiest and most historic hotel, the Willard -- a venue befitting a legend. Appearing as the other two members of the Swing String Trio were bassist Keter Betts and guitarist Steve Abshire. Mr. Betts has been the bassist of choice for many of jazz music's greatest, including Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Tommy Flanagan, and Mr. Abshire was the guitarist for the Navy's jazz band, the Commodores, until his recent retirement. Both can swing with intelligence, wit and lyricism, and both were perfect with Claude Williams.

The crowd loved the instrumental renditions of jazz and popular classics ("Tangerine," "I've Got The World On A String," "Wave," "Cherokee"), all of which featured lyrical and dexterous solos; but the show-stoppers were Mr. Williams' vocal numbers ("Mean To Me," "All Of Me," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," and the first song he learned to play on the violin, "You've Got To See Your Mama Every Night"). My personal favorites were a couple of tunes on which Claude's fiddle and Keter Betts' bass "talked" back and forth, "In A Mellow Tone," and "Sunny Side Of The Street." The bass solo on the latter was so sweet that, after 32 bars, Claude enjoined Keter to "Blow another one, Brother Betts!"

The music was not limited to the trio, however. Two guests from the audience also sat in on a couple of numbers. Jazz vocalist Etta Jones, who was in town for gigs at the East Coast Jazz Festival and in Baltimore, offered a beautiful "Sunday" and a goosebump-generating "Someone To Watch Over Me," after which Topeka native Ernie Douglas (see JAM, December/January 1995-96) brought in a rousing "Kansas City." This was the stuff that Kansas City jazz is made of.

Nor was the historical moment lost on Washington's political crowd, many of whom genuinely appreciate jazz as one of America's unique cultural art forms. Bill and Hillary Clinton sent a letter wishing Mr. Williams a happy 89th birthday and a wonderful celebration. And other letters and comments received and read as part of the night's festivities including the following:

"In my humble opinion, you are one of the living national treasure of jazz. You have played a unique role in developing that special style we refer to as Kansas City Jazz, thus immeasurably enriching American culture. For this, I and the American people are deeply indebted to you." (Congressman John Conyers, Jr.)

"In your 80-plus years as a musician, you have generously shared your expertise and ideas with others, effectively helping to spread Missouri's music... Beyond being a musician, you are nothing less than a creative pioneer, helping broaden the horizons of jazz." (Senator John Ashcroft)

"Your wit, wisdom and courage are an inspiration to us all." (Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan)

"Your dedicated service to the community stands as a model for all of us in public life." (Senator J. Robert Kerrey)

"From your earliest years in Muskogee through decade after decade of performances to your induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, you have reminded us all that the musical heritage of our state is a strong and vibrant one... Oklahoma is proud of your tremendous achievements as a musician and as a person." (Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating)

"You have been an ambassador of Oklahoma's music to the world, swinging through most of Europe, Australia and dozens of states in just the last decade... Thank you for sharing your unique talent with us." (Muskogee Mayor Jim Bushnell)

There and other accolades received that evening would have filled a large scrapbook (if not a history book), but one more deserves mention. Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Cleaver II also sent a Proclamation honoring Claude Williams on his birthday, and noting that Mr. Williams, as one of the last surviving members of the originally recorded Count Basie band, "has traveled the world and has had people of all nations swaying to the beat of swing" and that "his recordings provide a lasting legacy of this Swing Heritage."

The testimonials were great and assuredly deserved, but Claude and his music made the night. "What can a man say about Claude Williams?" Keter Betts said when I asked him about Claude. "He is one of the best interpreters of a song I've ever heard. He puts his own seasoning in the sauce. No store shelf stuff either, but his own special spice."

Mr. Williams, I would also like to add my own humble thanks for a wonderful weekend and for such great music. Please invite me to your 90th, wherever that may be, and may the next 89 be as swinging as the last.

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		by Gregg Ottinger Claude Williams Celebrates 89 In The Nest The Emperor Nero may have played his fiddle while Rome burned, but the music could not have been any hotter than it was on February 22 at the Nest Lounge in Washington D.C. On that night, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, with the help of his Swing String Trio, celebrated his 89th birthday. It was quite a weekend for Mr. Williams, who played five gigs in two days. In addition to two nights at the Nest, he also appeared three times at the American Museum of History at the Smithsonian Institution, for students and the general public, in celebration of Black History Month. Claude has appeared at the Smithsonian before, most recently as part of President Clinton's first inaugural festivities in 1993. On February 21 of the recent trip, Mr. Williams' most current CD, Swing Time in New York, received a glowing review in The Washington Post by music critic (and managing editor of Jazz Times) Mike Joyce: "For jazz violinist Claude Williams, age is no object and certainly no obstacle. Though he'll celebrate his 89th birthday while performing in Washington this weekend, his brand of Kansas City-bred swing, blues and balladry remains forever young... Williams (is) the session's real spark plug, playing (and occasionally singing) with infectious spirit as he cut a wide swath through decades of swing, blues and pop... Williams doesn't fiddle around when it comes time to infuse the romantic melody with a contagious swing pulse." And Mr. Williams' swinging pulse was never more contagious than it was both nights at the Nest, an elegant nightclub in D.C.'s classiest and most historic hotel, the Willard -- a venue befitting a legend. Appearing as the other two members of the Swing String Trio were bassist Keter Betts and guitarist Steve Abshire. Mr. Betts has been the bassist of choice for many of jazz music's greatest, including Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Tommy Flanagan, and Mr. Abshire was the guitarist for the Navy's jazz band, the Commodores, until his recent retirement. Both can swing with intelligence, wit and lyricism, and both were perfect with Claude Williams. The crowd loved the instrumental renditions of jazz and popular classics ("Tangerine," "I've Got The World On A String," "Wave," "Cherokee"), all of which featured lyrical and dexterous solos; but the show-stoppers were Mr. Williams' vocal numbers ("Mean To Me," "All Of Me," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," and the first song he learned to play on the violin, "You've Got To See Your Mama Every Night"). My personal favorites were a couple of tunes on which Claude's fiddle and Keter Betts' bass "talked" back and forth, "In A Mellow Tone," and "Sunny Side Of The Street." The bass solo on the latter was so sweet that, after 32 bars, Claude enjoined Keter to "Blow another one, Brother Betts!" The music was not limited to the trio, however. Two guests from the audience also sat in on a couple of numbers. Jazz vocalist Etta Jones, who was in town for gigs at the East Coast Jazz Festival and in Baltimore, offered a beautiful "Sunday" and a goosebump-generating "Someone To Watch Over Me," after which Topeka native Ernie Douglas (see JAM, December/January 1995-96) brought in a rousing "Kansas City." This was the stuff that Kansas City jazz is made of. Nor was the historical moment lost on Washington's political crowd, many of whom genuinely appreciate jazz as one of America's unique cultural art forms. Bill and Hillary Clinton sent a letter wishing Mr. Williams a happy 89th birthday and a wonderful celebration. And other letters and comments received and read as part of the night's festivities including the following: "In my humble opinion, you are one of the living national treasure of jazz. You have played a unique role in developing that special style we refer to as Kansas City Jazz, thus immeasurably enriching American culture. For this, I and the American people are deeply indebted to you." (Congressman John Conyers, Jr.) "In your 80-plus years as a musician, you have generously shared your expertise and ideas with others, effectively helping to spread Missouri's music... Beyond being a musician, you are nothing less than a creative pioneer, helping broaden the horizons of jazz." (Senator John Ashcroft) "Your wit, wisdom and courage are an inspiration to us all." (Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan) "Your dedicated service to the community stands as a model for all of us in public life." (Senator J. Robert Kerrey) "From your earliest years in Muskogee through decade after decade of performances to your induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, you have reminded us all that the musical heritage of our state is a strong and vibrant one... Oklahoma is proud of your tremendous achievements as a musician and as a person." (Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating) "You have been an ambassador of Oklahoma's music to the world, swinging through most of Europe, Australia and dozens of states in just the last decade... Thank you for sharing your unique talent with us." (Muskogee Mayor Jim Bushnell) There and other accolades received that evening would have filled a large scrapbook (if not a history book), but one more deserves mention. Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Cleaver II also sent a Proclamation honoring Claude Williams on his birthday, and noting that Mr. Williams, as one of the last surviving members of the originally recorded Count Basie band, "has traveled the world and has had people of all nations swaying to the beat of swing" and that "his recordings provide a lasting legacy of this Swing Heritage." The testimonials were great and assuredly deserved, but Claude and his music made the night. "What can a man say about Claude Williams?" Keter Betts said when I asked him about Claude. "He is one of the best interpreters of a song I've ever heard. He puts his own seasoning in the sauce. No store shelf stuff either, but his own special spice." Mr. Williams, I would also like to add my own humble thanks for a wonderful weekend and for such great music. Please invite me to your 90th, wherever that may be, and may the next 89 be as swinging as the last. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.