Claude "Fiddler" Williams Collection

Description
Claude "Fiddler" Williams (22 February 1908 - 25 April 2004), violinist and guitarist, was born Claude Gabriel Williams in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Williams enjoyed a great deal of well-deserved acclaim in the twilight of his long jazz career.
Member of
LaBudde Special Collections
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Claude "Fiddler" Williams performs at West End Gate

Claude "Fiddler" Williams closes his eyes and grimaces as the plays his fiddle on the stage of the West End Gate bar in New York, N.Y. An unidentified African American man stands in the center of the stage playing a saxophone. An unidentified white man sits on the right side of the photograph turning his head to smile at Claude as he plays a jazz guitar. The West End sign is on the wall behind the stage. The chairs are empty that line the tables right up to the stage.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-234.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
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Audience watches a formal event

In a room of pink-draped ceiling, a chandelier, and people dressed formally, four unidentified African American men and one unidentified African American woman stand on stage as the African American audience sits in the foreground of the photograph with their backs to the camera during the Tony Williams Jazz Fest in Pennsylvania. One man toward the left side of the stage speaks into a microphone as he reads from something he holds in his hand. Another man on the right side of the stage holds a double bass as he listens to the speaker. A couple are in the center of these two men. The date, "9 1 '01"," is imprinted by the camera on the photograph in the lower right-hand corner.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-235.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-236-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Audience watches a formal event

In a room of pink-draped ceiling, a chandelier, and people dressed formally, unidentified African American men and one unidentified African American woman stand on stage during the Tony Williams Jazz Fest in Pennsylvania. The audience in the foreground of the photograph with their backs to the camera, either sit or stand to applaud. One man toward the left side of the stage speaks into a microphone. A couple, mostly obscured by the audience, are standing on the stage and looking at the man speaking into the microphone. The date, "9 1 '01"," is imprinted by the camera on the photograph in the lower right-hand corner.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-236.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-237-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Houston Person and Etta Jones perform at the Tony Williams Jazz Fest

Houston Person stands on a stage in a room with a pink-draped ceiling while he plays his tenor saxophone and looks out over the audience at the Tony Williams Jazz Fest. Sitting next to Houston is Etta Jones singing into a microphone she holds with her left hand. Standing between Houston and Etta at the back of the stage is a double bass player whose face is obscured by Houston. An unidentified white male drummer plays on the right side of the photograph. The date, "8 31 '01"," is imprinted by the camera on the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-237.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-238-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Claude "Fiddler" Williams plays his fiddle as he sits in a wheelchair

Claude "Fiddler" Williams, from his right side, plays his fiddle as he sits in a wheelchair in a room in a medical institution. His instrument case is open beside him. A plant is on the dresser behind him. A television is mounted to the wall above the dresser. The date, "11 16 '00"," is imprinted by the camera on the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-238.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-239-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Claude "Fiddler" Williams plays his fiddle as he sits in a wheelchair

Claude "Fiddler" Williams, from his right side, plays his fiddle as he sits in a wheelchair in a room at a medical institution. His instrument case is open beside him. A plant is on the dresser behind him. A television is mounted to the wall above the dresser. The bed is partially visible on the right side of the photograph. A sink area is behind and to the left of Claude. The date, "11 16 '00"," is imprinted by the camera on the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-239.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-240-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Claude "Fiddler" Williams plays with a big band

Claude "Fiddler" Williams sits playing his fiddle in front of a big band of seated white men playing their instruments and one unidentified white man perhaps conducting. Seated behind Claude are elderly white women and one elderly white man. An unidentified African American female nurse stands in the back corner of the room. A large terrarium is on the wall behind the seated elderly people. The date, "11 17 '00"," is imprinted by the camera on the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-240.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-241-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Claude "Fiddler" Williams plays with a big band

Claude "Fiddler" Williams sits in a wheelchair playing his fiddle in front of a big band of white men playing their instruments. Three large floor-to-ceiling windows cross the wall beside the band. An elderly white woman bends forward in her wheelchair behind Claude, looking at her lap as she listens. Another middle aged white woman sits behind Claude listening to the music. The date, "11 17 '00"," is imprinted by the camera on the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-241.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-242-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Claude "Fiddler" Williams plays with a big band

Claude "Fiddler" Williams sits playing his fiddle in front of a big band of seated white men playing their instruments. Seated behind Claude are elderly white women and one elderly white man. A large terrarium is on the wall behind the seated elderly people. The date, "11 17 '00"," is imprinted by the camera on the bottom right-hand corner of the photograph.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-242.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-243-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Statesmen of Jazz perform in Boca Raton, Florida

The Statesmen of Jazz perform on stage in Boca Raton, Florida on May 16, 2000. The date, "5 16 '00"," is imprinted on the lower right-hand of the photograph by the camera. Farthest on the left side of the photograph is Eddie Higgins playing a baby grand piano. Next to the right is Claude "Fiddler" Williams smiling as he faces the back of the stage and plays his fiddle. Next to the right is David "Fathead" Newman playing the tenor saxophone. Seated at the back of the stage and visible next to the right is Ear May smiling toward the drums as he plays his double bass. The bass is obscured by Fathead. Next to the right, standing with his eyes closed and playing the alto saxophone is Jerry Dodgion. At the back of the stage and visible next to the right is the drummer Eddie Locke. Eddie is looking toward the left side of the photograph as he plays. Standing next to the right is George Masso playing the trombone. Farthest to the right side of the photograph is Lou Colombo bending slightly forward as he stands and plays trumpet.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-243.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
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Claude "Fiddler" Williams takes the solo as the rest of the Statemen of Jazz listen

The Statesmen of Jazz perform on stage in Boca Raton, Florida on May 16, 2000. The date, "5 16 '00"," is imprinted on the lower right-hand of the photograph by the camera. Eddie Higgins sits and plays a baby grand piano on the left side of the photograph as Claude "Fiddler" Williams smiles and bends slightly to play his fiddle. Claude wears a ball cap. The other band members, David "Fathead" Newman, Jerry Dodgion, Eddie Locke, and George Masso, on the right side of the photograph are turned toward Claude and listening. Eddie Locke has a grin on his face as he sits behind the drum set.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-244.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-245-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Eddie Higgins and Claude "Fiddler" Williams play as the rest of the Statemen of Jazz listen

The Statesmen of Jazz perform on stage in Boca Raton, Florida on May 16, 2000. The date, "5 16 '00"," is imprinted on the lower right-hand of the photograph by the camera. Eddie Higgins looks down at the keys as he plays a baby grand piano on the left side of the photograph. Next to the right, Claude "Fiddler" Williams smiles at the other Statesmen of Jazz as he plays his fiddle. He wears a ball cap. The other Statesmen of Jazz, David "Fathead" Newman, Earl May, and George Masso, stand casually on the stage listening.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-245.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
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School children file out of the auditorium after the Statemen of Jazz concert

School children are filing out of the aisles of seats toward the back of the performance hall. Two unidentified white women, one seated, one standing, are also preparing to leave the Statesmen of Jazz concert in Boca Raton, Florida.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-246.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-247-Thumbnail Image.jpg

Early audience members waiting for the Statemen of Jazz concert to begin

A few seated audience members are waiting for the Statesmen of Jazz concert to begin in Boca Raton, Florida, for the Swing & Jazz Preservation Society of Florida, Inc. on May 16, 2000. A white boy is farthest left in the photograph. In the center are four white women and one white man holding up a camera toward the stage. Behind the chairs on the other side of the auditorium is a group of teenagers.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-247.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147
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David "Fathead" Newman talks to students about the saxophone

Students have left their seats and gather around the floor in front of the stage to smile as they look up and have an encounter with David "Fathead" Newman, David's back is to the camera as he bends slightly toward the children upon the occasion of the Statesmen of Jazz performing in Boca Raton, Florida. Other audience members can be seen sitting and standing in the rest of the auditorium.
Type: Image
File: umkc_lsc_williams-claude_photo-248.png
Collection Identifier: MS-0147