- Born
- Died
- Birth nameCharles Melvin Williams
- Cootie Williams was born on June 24, 1910 in Mobile, Alabama, USA. He was an actor, known for The Omega Man (1971), Unleashed (2005) and Devil in a Blue Dress (1995). He was married to Catherine Williams. He died on September 14, 1985 in New York City, New York, USA.
- SpouseCatherine Williams(? - September 14, 1985) (his death)
- ChildrenNo Children
- RelativesBarney Williams(Sibling)
- Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1993.
- Showcased by Ellington in "Concerto for Cootie", recorded in 1940.
- Cootie's own band included in its lineup Charlie Parker, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Bud Powell and Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson.
- Self-taught trumpet player, raised by an aunt after his pianiste mother died when he was eight.
- Worked with Alonzo Ross De Luxe Syncopators from 1926 to 1928. Afterwards with bands led by Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson in New York, before joining Duke Ellington as replacement for Bubber Miley. Remained with Ellington for eleven years. Left in 1940 for brief stint with Benny Goodman, then formed his own orchestra, based primarily at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. By 1948, Cootie fronted a quartet and made several important recordings for the Jazztone label. In the 1950's, he switched to R&B, but occasionally returned to play with orchestras led by Duke or Mercer Ellington until forced to retire in 1975 due to poor health..
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