Last Updated - Friday February 04, 2022 at 21:15:00

Arthur Williams RIP Jan 2022

Sorry Fred but more sad news, Arthur Williams a truly great trombone player and fun vocalist passed away in hospital last week. I am unable to supply further information, date of his passing or funeral arrangements at this time.  With sadness.

27/01/22

Arthur Williams

I'm so sorry to learn that we have lost Arthur. I haven't seen him for several years now, but the very thought of him immediately lifts my spirits. Such a gifted musician, and such an easy-going, friendly person!

He used to dep with Five and a Penny at the Jenny Jones in Llangollen, where Doc Hughes - a jazz-loving retired orthopaedic surgeon who always came to listen - would rave about the way Arthur squeezed his eyes closed when he played, an effect that must have been enhanced by his magnificent bushy eyebrows. He simply loved playing, and that had a positive effect on all of us!

I can't remember that he ever had a regular band during the time I knew him, but that can only have been because he chose not to. He was a wonderful player. At one stage we were both part of Ray Hayes's Roaring Twenties Jazz Band, with our weekly residency in The Black Dog at Waverton, but even there he shared the trombone chair with that other fine trombonist Alan Pendlebury. I think they used to play alternate weeks. or something like that, but to play in the same band as Arthur, however infrequently, was always a great joy, and I shall treasure the memory.

I've just found a video on YouTube from 2011 of Arthur playing with the Tuxedo Jazz Band at the Old Wallaseyans. It consists of two numbers the second of which is Winin' Boy Blues, with Arthur taking the lead, the inclusion of that video - especially the second number - would stir lots of memories.

 

Helen joins me in sending condolences to his family. -

Allan Wilcox

I was saddened to hear about Arthur Williams. I spoke to Carl Thompson yesterday (we both now live in France) to let him know. He played regularly with Arthur for many years and said that he was his favourite trombone player by a long way.

I knew Arthur reasonably well and enjoyed his lovely swinging style which always reminded me of Jimmy Archey. I never heard him sing but Carl said he was very entertaining and was a member of a choir where he lived in Wales. Well, you have to if you live there, don't you?

I thought I had more but I can only put my hands on one session I recorded with Arthur. This is from when I depped with the Tuxedo in March 1993. Carl is on cornet, Brian Legan on clarinet, sadly neither of them playing nowadays.

Perhaps Brian will be able to provide one of Arthur's "specialities" for us to enjoy.

 

Graham Martindale

31/01/22 -

Very sad to read about Arthur, he was a super chap, easy to talk to, always cheery, and an excellent trombone player.  -

Jon Critchley

01/02/22 -

Graham Martindale refers to Arthur Williams’ vocals. I remember him doing (and I use that word purposely), ‘Mumbles’ when he was depping with the Tuxedo a few years back. I could hardly play for laughing. He was a great character! -

Richard Knock

Main Menu

Home Page