Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams (July 13, 1915September 14, 2002) was an American jazz and blues saxophonist, bandleader, and songwriter. His record "The Huckle-Buck", recorded in December 1948, was one of the most successful R&B records of the time. In his Honkers and Shouters, Arnold Shaw credited Williams as one of the first to employ the honking tenor saxophone solo that became the hallmark of rhythm and blues and rock and roll in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Biography

Williams was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee, and grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, before moving with his parents to Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 13. He started learning saxophone and played in school bands before forming his own band, Paul Williams and his Kings of Rhythm, with the trumpeter Lloyd Henderson, in the mid-1930s, and playing in local clubs. The band split up during World War II, and Williams then joined Clarence Dorsey's band. He toured with the band, then known as the Sensational Six, until 1945, when he left to join another local band, led by King Porter (born James A. Pope, 1916–1983).

Williams became known for his showmanship in Porter's band. He made his first recordings with Porter for the Paradise label in 1947. reached number 8 on the Billboard R&B chart (then called the race records chart) in early 1948. Williams followed up its success with three further chart hits released in 1948"The Twister" (which, according to Joel Whitburn, "had a 'rockin' beat" and "laid the foundation for Hank Ballard's 'The Twist'"); "Waxie Maxie"; and "Walkin' Around"all featuring the honking tenor sax of Wild Bill Moore.

Williams and his band toured nationally, and his concerts became increasingly popular and riotous. Reig claimed that he taught Williams to perform vigorously, "kicking as he played, bending and dipping, getting down on the floor while blowing that saxophone." Williams began performing Gibson's composition, and at a show in Devon, Pennsylvania, noticed that audience members were performing a new dance, the Hucklebuck, to it.

"The Huckle-Buck" established Williams's popularity, and he was billed as Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams for the rest of his career. He also played on many of the nationwide concert tours organised by Freed.

Discography

Albums

  • Paul Williams and His Orchestra featuring Noble Wattsthe Hucklebuck (Saxophonograph, 1981)
  • The Complete Recordings Volume 1 1947–1949 (Blue Moon, 1999)
  • The Complete Recordings 1949–1952Volume 2 (Blue Moon, 1999)
  • The Complete Recordings 1952–1956Volume 3 (Blue Moon, 2001)

With Ruth Brown

  • Ruth Brown (Atlantic, 1957)

Singles

  • "Hastings St. Bounce" / "Way Late" (Savoy 459, 1947)
  • "Thirty-Five Thirty" / "Come with Me Baby" (Savoy 661, 1948)
  • "Bouncing with Benson" / "Boogie Ride" (Savoy 664, 1948)
  • "The Twister, Part 1" / "Part 2" (Savoy 665, 1948)
  • "Waxie Maxie" / "Spider Sent Me" (Savoy 670, 1948)
  • "Bouncing with Buddy, Part 1" / "Part 2" (Savoy 674, 1948)
  • "Walkin' Around" / (Savoy 680, 1949)
  • "The Huckle-Buck" / "Hoppin' John" (Savoy 683, 1949)
  • "House Rocker" / "He Knows How to Hucklebuck" (Savoy 702, 1949)
  • "Pop-Corn" / "Free Dice" (Savoy 711, 1949)
  • "Cranberries" / "Juice Bug Boogie" (Savoy 721, 1949)
  • "What's Happening" / "Camp Meeting Bounce" (Savoy 734, 1950)
  • "Rye Boogie" / "Weasel Swing" (Savoy 751, 1950)
  • "Jeep's Blues" / "Paul's Boogie" (Savoy 758, 1951)
  • "Turtle Rock" / "Blues at Daybreak" (Savoy 773, 1952)
  • "Rockin' Chair Blues" / "Sinners' Hop, Part 1" (Savoy 814, 1952)
  • "Blowin' the Boogie" / "It's All Over Baby" (Savoy 831, 1952)
  • "I Need Your Love" / "I'm So Happy" (Savoy 841, 1952)
  • "Hello" / "Rock It Davy Crockett" (Capitol F3205, 1955)
  • "You're Breaking My Heart No More" / "It's Over" (Capitol F3255, 1955)
  • "Give It Up" / "Pass the Buck" (Vee Jay VJ234, 1957)
  • "Walkin' the Track" / "Back to Back" (7 Arts S713, 1961)
  • "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" / "I Can't Stand It" (Ascot AS2114, 1962)

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