Chocolate Williams | |
---|---|
Birth name | Robert Williams Jr. |
Also known as | Bob Williams Billy Williams |
Born | Augusta, Georgia, U.S. | February 1, 1916
Died | June 22, 1984 Manhattan, New York, U.S. | (aged 68)
Occupation(s) | Jazz bassist, vocalist |
Instrument(s) | Double bass |
Years active | 1935–1957 |
Labels | Onyx Records |
Chocolate Williams (also known as Billy and Bob, né Robert Williams Jr.; February 1, 1916 – June 22, 1984)[1][2] was an American jazz bassist and vocalist based in New York City.[2] He was a prolific performer of jazz, and, notably, performed and recorded with Art Tatum in 1941 and Herbie Nichols in 1952.[3]
Williams performed with the Cotton Club Tramp Band, Rex Stewart Combo, Herbie Nichols, Art Tatum, his own trio, the Three Chocolates, and his own jazz combo, Chocolate Williams and His Chocolateers. Williams was the founding leader of The Three Chocolates.[a] The other two original members were guitarist Jerome Darr (de), who went on to perform with Jonah Jones, and pianist Bill Spotswood.[b] Throughout the 1940s and mid-fifties, The Three Chocolates played at clubs along the Eastern Seaboard and the Midwest and were favorites in many swank Harlem after-hour spots. In late 1943, The Three Chocolates performed at the Onyx Club on 52nd Street for seven months, the Famous Door for five months, and, before that, Kelly's Stables. Bassist Earl May (de) (1926–2008), who substituted for Williams at Minton's, succeeded him when he stopped playing there.[2][4]
After his semi-retirement in 1955, Chocolate Williams worked as a messenger for CBS and retired in 1974.
He was born in Augusta, Georgia in 1916, and lived there until at least 1930. Williams lived at 60 West 142nd Street in the Sugar Hill area of Harlem when he died in 1984.[5]
(1st Verse)
Don't want no woman
That uses a straight comb
Don't want no woman
That uses a straight comb
She's ornery and evil
Can't keep a happy home
(2st Verse)
Looks in the mirror
Get mad when she sees her hair
Looks in the mirror
Get mad when she sees her hair
Can't blame her
'Cause its hardly any up there
(3rd Verse)
Ain't my fault
If she has bad hair
Ain't my fault
If she has bad hair
She may as well accept the fact
'Cause gettin' evil ain't nowhere
Piano solo
(12 bars)
(4th Verse)
Woman quit your squawkin'
Don't be so dumb
Woman quit your squawkin'
Don't be so dumb
If you don't like the hair you got
Go downtown and buy you some
Among his survivors are: his son, Tony Davis; a sister, Alberta Bloomer, a niece, Jennifer Riley; a nephew and 15 grandnieces and nephews.[5]
The Three Chocolates might wrongly associated with: