Midge Williams
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Born

  • May 27, 1915
  • Portland, OR

Died

  • January 9, 1952
  • San Francisco, CA

Theme Song

  • Night Time

Midge Williams

Largely forgotten today, Midge Williams was a popular and talented singer active in the mid-1930s and early-1940s. Raised in the Oakland, California, area, she and her three brothers, John Lewis Jr, Robert, and Charles, began performing at an early age as the Williams Quartette. Their talent attracted the attention of a Fanchon and Marco agent, and in 1928 they signed with the production company, touring the West Coast for the next five years as the Williams Four. In 1933 they came under the management of young music student Roger Segure, who sent them on a tour of China and Japan. Midge recorded five sides for Columbia Japan in 1934, singing in both English and Japanese. The group returned to the West Coast in mid-1934.

In August of 1934 Charles Williams died of an accidental gunshot wound, and the quartet disbanded. Midge decided to pursue a solo career, under Segure's management. She achieved some success on her own, starring in a local Los Angeles radio program from 1934 to 1936. In 1936 she traveled to New York City, where she opened at the Apollo Theater. Williams appeared regularly on Rudy Vallee's radio show and toured with Fats Waller. She recorded 35 sides for various labels, including a series of recordings in 1936 and 1937 as Midge Williams and Her Jazz Jesters. These recordings featured Raymond Scott, Frankie Newton, Buster Bailey, and Charlie Shavers. She also worked with various other musicians, including as Bunny Berigan, Ben Webster, Teddy Wilson, Harry James, Glenn Miller, John Kirby, and Lil Armstrong.

In March of 1938 Williams joined Louis Armstrong, though she did not record with him. She toured with the jazz legend until January of 1941 when she left him due to illness. Eventually recovering, she began performing again in mid-1942 and returned to New York. Between July of 1943 and an appearance on Jack Webb's radio program in 1946 nothing is known of her activities or whereabouts. Midge Williams passed away in 1952 from tuberculosis.