JAM Magazine: April/May 1999 Issue: KC/DC

by Greg Ottinger

Claude Williams Receives National Heritage Fellowship Award, Then Swings at the One Step Down

(Ed. Note: Our normally punctual Washington D.C. correspondent, Gregg Ottinger, was unable to make the deadline for the last issue due to impending nuptials. We thank the new Mrs. Ottinger for leading Gregg by the ear to his computer and encouraging him to submit the following belated report.)

Claude "Fiddler" Williams had a full week last fall when he visited Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, October 6, he met First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton who, in a White House ceremony, awarded him a National Endowment for the Arts 1998 National Heritage Fellowship, the nation's most prestigious honor in the folk and traditional arts. On Thursday, he and the other National Heritage Fellows performed in concert at Lisner Auditorium, on the campus of George Washington University. On Friday and Saturday he and his trio packed -- and swung -- the One Step Down jazz club. And all that on the heels of a week of performing and recording in New Orleans! Presumably, on Sunday he rested, but with a gentleman as spry as the ninety-one-years-young Mr. Williams, one never knows.

The performance at Lisner Auditorium was standing room only. In addition to Mr. Williams, the other ten 1998 National Heritage Fellows displayed their crafts. They included Eddie Blazoncyzk (polka musician and bandleader), Roebuck "Pops" Staples (patriarch of the gospel and blues family group, the Staple Singers), Antonio de la Rosa (tejano conjunto accordionist), the Epstein Brothers (klezmer musicians), Cambodian traditional dancers, a master boat builder, a Sac and Fox-Pawnee silversmith, a Yakima-Colville beadworker, a Danish-American Hardanger needleworker, and a Greek Byzantine chanter. These recipients were honored for their achievements as artists, teachers, innovators and keepers of traditional art forms. Prior recipients include B.B. King, Bessie Jones, Doc Watson and Bill Monroe.

As interesting and talented as the other award winners were, Claude Williams was clearly the audience's favorite. He and his trio, which consisted of Joe Cohn on guitar and Keter Betts on bass, offered "Lester Leaps In" (on which Mr. Williams picked his violin like a guitar), "Our Love Is Here To Stay," "These Foolish Things" and "Things Ain't What They Used To Be." They received one of the only two standing ovations of the evening.

The setting was a little looser at the One Step Down club (although Mr. Williams, as always, was impeccably dressed in suit and tie). His trio at this venue also included Joe Cohn (who is an extremely lyrical guitar player whose style fits well with Mr. Williams), and Steve Novosel replaced Keter Betts on bass. Steve is one of D.C.'s most accomplished bassists and has recorded with everyone from Red Norvo (with whom he toured, including a visit to Kansas City) to Rahsaan Roland Kirk (the Inflated Tear album). Joe and Steve opened with two beautifully rendered and quick stepping duets, "No Greater Love" and "LaVerne's Walk." Once Mr. Williams joined, the swinging began in earnest, with high points including "Li'l Darlin'," "It Could Happen To You" (with Mr. Williams on vocals, as well as violin), and "Cherokee" (with a mile-a-minute bass solo).

The music only got hotter the next night. Mr. Williams and fiddle were in fine fettle, and the highlights included toe-tapping and head-bobbing renditions of "Over The Rainbow," "Lester Leaps In" (with superb interplay between the violin and guitar), "Tangerine," and "Kansas City," the last featuring another galloping Novosel solo. One of the final hits of the set was "Stormy Monday," played at the request of the Ambassador from Uganda. Clearly Claude Williams is not just an American treasure, but a musician who enjoys and deserves worldwide recognition.

"I love working with Claude," Joe Cohn told me between sets. "Not only is he a great leader, but he's easy to work with and he provides a great backdrop for solos." Steve Novosel also offered his praise, adding, "Claude is so fluid; and he swings, too! It's beautiful."

Mr. Williams, congratulations on your National Heritage Fellowship, and thanks for sticking around town to play a club. The honor may have been yours, but the pleasure was all ours. You are truly a national treasure and much deserving of this recognition and prestigious award.

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Greg Ottinger Claude Williams Receives National Heritage Fellowship Award, Then Swings at the One Step Down (Ed. Note: Our normally punctual Washington D.C. correspondent, Gregg Ottinger, was unable to make the deadline for the last issue due to impending nuptials. We thank the new Mrs. Ottinger for leading Gregg by the ear to his computer and encouraging him to submit the following belated report.) Claude "Fiddler" Williams had a full week last fall when he visited Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, October 6, he met First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton who, in a White House ceremony, awarded him a National Endowment for the Arts 1998 National Heritage Fellowship, the nation's most prestigious honor in the folk and traditional arts. On Thursday, he and the other National Heritage Fellows performed in concert at Lisner Auditorium, on the campus of George Washington University. On Friday and Saturday he and his trio packed -- and swung -- the One Step Down jazz club. And all that on the heels of a week of performing and recording in New Orleans! Presumably, on Sunday he rested, but with a gentleman as spry as the ninety-one-years-young Mr. Williams, one never knows. The performance at Lisner Auditorium was standing room only. In addition to Mr. Williams, the other ten 1998 National Heritage Fellows displayed their crafts. They included Eddie Blazoncyzk (polka musician and bandleader), Roebuck "Pops" Staples (patriarch of the gospel and blues family group, the Staple Singers), Antonio de la Rosa (tejano conjunto accordionist), the Epstein Brothers (klezmer musicians), Cambodian traditional dancers, a master boat builder, a Sac and Fox-Pawnee silversmith, a Yakima-Colville beadworker, a Danish-American Hardanger needleworker, and a Greek Byzantine chanter. These recipients were honored for their achievements as artists, teachers, innovators and keepers of traditional art forms. Prior recipients include B.B. King, Bessie Jones, Doc Watson and Bill Monroe. As interesting and talented as the other award winners were, Claude Williams was clearly the audience's favorite. He and his trio, which consisted of Joe Cohn on guitar and Keter Betts on bass, offered "Lester Leaps In" (on which Mr. Williams picked his violin like a guitar), "Our Love Is Here To Stay," "These Foolish Things" and "Things Ain't What They Used To Be." They received one of the only two standing ovations of the evening. The setting was a little looser at the One Step Down club (although Mr. Williams, as always, was impeccably dressed in suit and tie). His trio at this venue also included Joe Cohn (who is an extremely lyrical guitar player whose style fits well with Mr. Williams), and Steve Novosel replaced Keter Betts on bass. Steve is one of D.C.'s most accomplished bassists and has recorded with everyone from Red Norvo (with whom he toured, including a visit to Kansas City) to Rahsaan Roland Kirk (the Inflated Tear album). Joe and Steve opened with two beautifully rendered and quick stepping duets, "No Greater Love" and "LaVerne's Walk." Once Mr. Williams joined, the swinging began in earnest, with high points including "Li'l Darlin'," "It Could Happen To You" (with Mr. Williams on vocals, as well as violin), and "Cherokee" (with a mile-a-minute bass solo). The music only got hotter the next night. Mr. Williams and fiddle were in fine fettle, and the highlights included toe-tapping and head-bobbing renditions of "Over The Rainbow," "Lester Leaps In" (with superb interplay between the violin and guitar), "Tangerine," and "Kansas City," the last featuring another galloping Novosel solo. One of the final hits of the set was "Stormy Monday," played at the request of the Ambassador from Uganda. Clearly Claude Williams is not just an American treasure, but a musician who enjoys and deserves worldwide recognition. "I love working with Claude," Joe Cohn told me between sets. "Not only is he a great leader, but he's easy to work with and he provides a great backdrop for solos." Steve Novosel also offered his praise, adding, "Claude is so fluid; and he swings, too! It's beautiful." Mr. Williams, congratulations on your National Heritage Fellowship, and thanks for sticking around town to play a club. The honor may have been yours, but the pleasure was all ours. You are truly a national treasure and much deserving of this recognition and prestigious award. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.