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Johnny Williams was an American double bass player born on March 13, 1908, in Memphis, Tennessee. He passed away on October 23, 1998, in New York City, New York. Initially learning the violin, Williams found it unsatisfactory and switched to the tuba during high school. In the early 1930s, he played tuba and later double bass in Southern territory bands. In 1936, Williams moved to New York, where he participated in several recording sessions with Henry "Red" Allen from 1936 to 1937. He played with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band from 1937 to 1938, recorded with Buster Bailey in December 1938, and briefly collaborated with Benny Carter. In 1939, he began recording with Billie Holiday, continuing until 1942, under the leadership of Holiday or Teddy Wilson. He also played with Frankie Newton at Café Society, recorded with notable musicians like Harry James, James P. Johnson, J. C. Higginbotham, the Port of Harlem Jazzmen, the Port of Harlem Seven, and Sidney Bechet, and joined Coleman Hawkins's band. After leaving Hawkins in 1940, Williams played with Louis Armstrong until 1941. In the summer of 1941, he joined Teddy Wilson's sextet, appearing in the film short "Boogie Woogie Dream" that same year. He recorded with Edmond Hall in January 1944 and remained at Café

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