Williams, Joe

Williams, (Joseph Goreed) Joe

(1918– ) jazz vocalist; born in Cordele, Ga. An outstanding jazz singer and popular show business figure, he began his career in Chicago in the late 1930s with Jimmie Noone, toured with King Kolax, and gained prominence with Count Basie between 1954–60. He free-lanced thereafter as a solo attraction and with all-star jazz groups.