Born in Salford in 1937 Roy began his playing career playing tailgate trombone around the Manchester area with Eric Batty’s Jazz Aces, a local group. Soon afterwards he joined Terry Lightfoot and matured rapidly in both technique and ideas until, in 1965, he was invited to join Alex Welsh and “turned into a world-class talent, a perfect amalgam of Urbie Green and Jack Teagarden with a hint of Bob Brookmeyer here and there” (Digby Fairweather). After a tremendously successful period he eventually left thirteen years later to join Humphrey Lyttelton where he stayed for four years. His reputation firmly established he became a freelance, won many jazz polls, played in America and throughout Europe and became a great favourite at jazz festivals as a soloist and with all-star groups. The broadcaster and trumpeter, Digby Fairweather, sums up as follows:

Later addition

Roy Williams gets his MBE

21/01/21 - Vic Williams has emailed and allowed me to reproduce the content which I know many of you will want to know. "Hello, I have just enjoyed reading through your journal of jazz memories. I am the younger brother of Roy Williams and appreciate the kind words written about his recent award from Her Majesty. I spoke with Roy today and although he is in good spirits, he struggles to communicate verbally since his stroke in March 2019. The sad thing is that he knows what he wants to say but has great difficulty getting the words out and he gets frustrated with himself so I try hard not to fire too many questions at him. He is receiving therapy but its a slow job. Hopefully when the Covid restrictions are lifted the Williams family will be able to get together and celebrate Roys MBE".