Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

WILLIAMS, Sandy

(b Alexander Balos Williams, 24 Oct. '06, Somerville SC; d 25 March '91) Highly regarded Swing Era trombonist. Moved to Washington DC as a child, played in school bands, with Claude Hopkins, Horace and Fletcher Henderson etc. then with Chick Webb '33-40. Fine solos on "Dipsy Doodle', "One O'Clock Jump', "Sugar Foot Stomp', etc. Took Webb's death very hard; worked for band fronted by Ella Fitzgerald but his spark was gone; alcohol problem appeared. Played with many bands (Duke Ellington mid-'43), visited Europe with Rex Stewart '48-9; recovered from breakdown c'50 and went teetotal; worked as lift operator; resumed playing late '50s despite dental and other problems.