Claiborne Williams
Encyclopedia
Claiborne Williams was an American
musician, bandleader, and music teacher.
. As a young man, he worked in New Orleans for the Werlein Music Company on Canal Street, where he repaired musical instruments. At the age of 17 he led a band at the Wilbert Theatre in Baton Rouge. At 18 he was also leader of the St. Joseph Brass Band, and was a music teacher in the nearby towns of Donaldsonville
. Notable pupils of Williams were trombone player, Louis Nelson
, Oscar "Papa" Celestin
, later Louis Nelson played a few dates with Claiborne's orchestra. Williams was primarily a violinist, but taught all instruments. He charged fifty cents for a lesson lasting from half an hour to an hour. Although he travelled around the USA, Canada and even Europe as leader of Billy Kersand and his Minstrel Troupe, most of his musical career was spend in and around Donaldsonville
. Williams' musical career continued well into the late 1930s early 1940s. Members of the Claiborne Williams band included famed Dave Bartholomew
, "Papa" John Joseph
, Richard Jones, and Walter Lewis.
Claiborne Williams died on October 10, 1952 in a New Orleans hospital.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician, bandleader, and music teacher.
Life and career
Claiborne Williams was born in Ascension Parish, LouisianaAscension Parish, Louisiana
Ascension Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the fastest growing parish in the state. Its population is 107,215 which is 39.9% greater than the 2000 census...
. As a young man, he worked in New Orleans for the Werlein Music Company on Canal Street, where he repaired musical instruments. At the age of 17 he led a band at the Wilbert Theatre in Baton Rouge. At 18 he was also leader of the St. Joseph Brass Band, and was a music teacher in the nearby towns of Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville, Louisiana
Donaldsonville is a city in and the parish seat of Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the west bank of the Mississippi River. The population was 7,605 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Acadians began to settle in the area in...
. Notable pupils of Williams were trombone player, Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson
Louis Nelson was a trombonist most associated with the jazz originating in New Orleans near the turn of the twentieth century, sometimes referred to as Dixieland music....
, Oscar "Papa" Celestin
Papa Celestin
Oscar "Papa" Celestin was an American jazz bandleader, trumpeter, cornetist and vocalist.-Life and career:...
, later Louis Nelson played a few dates with Claiborne's orchestra. Williams was primarily a violinist, but taught all instruments. He charged fifty cents for a lesson lasting from half an hour to an hour. Although he travelled around the USA, Canada and even Europe as leader of Billy Kersand and his Minstrel Troupe, most of his musical career was spend in and around Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville, Louisiana
Donaldsonville is a city in and the parish seat of Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the west bank of the Mississippi River. The population was 7,605 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Acadians began to settle in the area in...
. Williams' musical career continued well into the late 1930s early 1940s. Members of the Claiborne Williams band included famed Dave Bartholomew
Dave Bartholomew
Dave Bartholomew is a musician, band leader, composer and arranger, prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century...
, "Papa" John Joseph
Papa John Joseph
Papa John Joseph was an early New Orleans jazz string bass player.Joseph was born in St. James Parish, Louisiana and moved to New Orleans by 1906.He played with Buddy Bolden early on...
, Richard Jones, and Walter Lewis.
Claiborne Williams died on October 10, 1952 in a New Orleans hospital.