Irvin Williams (August 17, 1919 – December 14, 2019)[1][2] was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Throughout his nine-decade career, Williams focused on the Great American Songbook and the tenor sax as a solo vehicle.
Since his 84th birthday, Williams came up with a stream of releases: That’s All (2004), Dedicated to You (2005), followed by one of his most acclaimed, Duo (2006) with piano partner Peter Schimke, and Finality (2008). In 2011, Williams recorded Duke's Mixture, a quintet with Peter Schimke, Steve Blons, Billy Peterson and Jay Epstein; the set list includes five original compositions from Williams and his vocal debut on "Until the Real Thing Comes Along", together with two Irving Berlin standards and a pair of blues tunes.
Irv Williams had a regular weekly gig at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis.[4]
2012 – featured in Arts and the Mind, a documentary on PBS[8]
2012 – The Funkytown Movie, music documentary by Megabien Entertainment[9]
Referencesedit
^Bream, Jon (December 15, 2019). "Jazz saxophonist Irv Williams, who chose family over stardom, dies at 100". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
^"Irv Williams". Discogs. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
^ abc"Irv Williams: A Life in Music". Saint Paul Almanac. 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
^Bream, Jon (August 10, 2015). "Irv Williams blows his horn and 96 birthday candles at the Dakota". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
^Canter, Andrea (May 9, 2012). . Jazz Police. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
^. Saint Paul Almanac. Archived from the original on November 2, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
^. Megabien Entertainment. 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
^. Insight News. September 5, 2012. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
^. Megabien Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 4, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
williams, irvin, williams, august, 1919, december, 2019, american, jazz, saxophonist, composer, throughout, nine, decade, career, williams, focused, great, american, songbook, tenor, solo, vehicle, birth, nameirvin, williamsborn, 1919, august, 1919dieddecember. Irvin Williams August 17 1919 December 14 2019 1 2 was an American jazz saxophonist and composer Throughout his nine decade career Williams focused on the Great American Songbook and the tenor sax as a solo vehicle Irv WilliamsBirth nameIrvin WilliamsBorn 1919 08 17 August 17 1919DiedDecember 14 2019 2019 12 14 aged 100 Saint Paul MinnesotaGenresJazzswingbluesOccupationsSaxophonistcomposerYears active1925 2019 Contents 1 Musical history 2 Personal life 3 Honors and awards 4 Discography 5 Filmography 6 References 7 External linksMusical history editHis first instrument was the violin before switching to the clarinet and then to the tenor saxophone 3 In 1942 Williams moved to Saint Paul Minnesota In his early career he played in bands behind Ella Fitzgerald Fletcher Henderson Mary Lou Williams and Billy Eckstine at venues such as the Apollo Theater or the Howard Theater Turning down invitations to go on tour with Duke Ellington Count Basie or Louis Armstrong he chose to stay and become part of the Minneapolis Saint Paul Twin Cities history 3 While teaching in various public schools in St Paul he played with the late Reginald Buckner In the Twin Cities Williams has played at every jazz venue past and present including the old Flame Bar where he was often back to back with such stars as Sarah Vaughan Dizzy Gillespie and Johnny Hodges Since his 84th birthday Williams came up with a stream of releases That s All 2004 Dedicated to You 2005 followed by one of his most acclaimed Duo 2006 with piano partner Peter Schimke and Finality 2008 In 2011 Williams recorded Duke s Mixture a quintet with Peter Schimke Steve Blons Billy Peterson and Jay Epstein the set list includes five original compositions from Williams and his vocal debut on Until the Real Thing Comes Along together with two Irving Berlin standards and a pair of blues tunes Irv Williams had a regular weekly gig at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis 4 Personal life editWilliams had nine children from two marriages 3 Honors and awards edit1984 First jazz musician to be honored by the State of Minnesota with his own Irv Williams Day 1990 Picture appeared on the Celebrate Minnesota official state map 1995 Named an Arts Midwest Jazz Master 2005 At the KBEM Winter Jazz Festival Irv was one of three recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards 5 2010 Appeared on the cover of Saint Paul Almanac 6 Inducted into the Minnesota Jazz Hall of Fame His former saxophone has been integrated into the Minnesota s Greatest Generation exhibit at the Minnesota History CenterDiscography editKeep the Music Playing 1994 Peace with Strings 1996 STOP Look and Listen 2000 Encore 2001 That s All 2004 Dedicated To You CD 2005 Duo Irv Williams and Peter Schimke 2006 Finality 2008 Duke s Mixture 2011 Then Was Then Now Is Now 2014 Pinnacle Irv Williams Trio 2015 7 Filmography edit2012 featured in Arts and the Mind a documentary on PBS 8 2012 The Funkytown Movie music documentary by Megabien Entertainment 9 References edit Bream Jon December 15 2019 Jazz saxophonist Irv Williams who chose family over stardom dies at 100 Star Tribune Retrieved December 17 2019 Irv Williams Discogs Retrieved August 30 2019 a b c Irv Williams A Life in Music Saint Paul Almanac 2010 Retrieved July 3 2013 Bream Jon August 10 2015 Irv Williams blows his horn and 96 birthday candles at the Dakota Star Tribune Retrieved June 1 2017 Canter Andrea May 9 2012 Irv Williams Annual Retirement Party at the Dakota Jazz Police Archived from the original on June 24 2012 Retrieved July 3 2013 Book Media Kit Saint Paul Almanac Saint Paul Almanac Archived from the original on November 2 2016 Retrieved August 30 2019 Release of PINNACLE by Irv Williams Trio Megabien Entertainment 2015 Archived from the original on March 4 2016 Retrieved June 19 2015 KAIROS dancing heart featured in new PBS Documentary Arts amp The Mind Insight News September 5 2012 Archived from the original on September 3 2014 Retrieved June 2 2013 The Funkytown Movie music documentary 2012 Megabien Entertainment Archived from the original on June 4 2013 Retrieved May 24 2013 External links editJazz legend Irv Williams at MPRnews Irv Williams on SPNN s Doc U program Irv Williams A Life in Music Irv Williams Discography at artists MTV Irv Williams discography at Discogs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Irv Williams amp oldid 1172089895, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
