Violinist Claude “Fiddler” Williams (1908–2004) began his professional recording career in 1928 with the jazz band the Twelve Clouds of Joy in Kansas City. In 1989, he was the leader on two live sessions in New York City. In Volume 1, Williams leads his quintet through a dozen songs, ranging from swing (“Cherokee”) and bebop (“Billie’s Bounce) to bossa nova (“Wave”) and American standards (“Our Love Is Here to Stay” and “There Is No Greater Love”). His laid-back musical approach provides solo opportunities for guitarist James Chirillo and pianist Ron Mathews. Williams was named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1998.

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