Born in Cordele, Georgia on December 12, 1918, Joe Williams (born Joseph Goreed) became a prominent jazz vocalist with a career spanning over 50 years. At the age of three Williams and his family moved to Chicago, where he spent his formative years. In his twenties Williams worked as a singer and bouncer in Chicago. In 1943, while working at the Regal Theater, the manager sent Williams to Boston to perform with Lionel Hampton Orchestra.

After performing with Lionel Hampton in Boston, Williams began touring with the group. Though he was travelling and performing with Hampton, Williams’ first recording was with another group in 1944, the Three Chocolates. After a few years, Williams left the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and eventually joined up with Count Basie. From 1954 to 1961 Williams was the male vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra. His first recording with them was Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings, in 1955. This record featured the hit single “Every Day (I Have the Blues).” Williams went on to have many hit recordings with the Count Basie Orchestra. After leaving Basie’s band, he went on tour with Harry “Sweets” Edison’s quintet with whom he recorded three albums. Throughout his career Williams sang on his own, as well as with other notable musicians, including: Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry, Frank Hunter, Thad Jones, Benny Carter, and many more.

In 1975, Williams starred as the titular character in Cannonball Adderley’s Big Man: Legend of John Henry. Throughout the years, he gained other acting credits, including “Grandpa Al,” on The Cosby Show in the 1980s, and appeared several times on Sesame Street in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983, next to Basie's. Williams died in Las Vegas, Nevada, his hometown of more than 30 years, on March 29, 1999