Cootie Williams was born Charles Melvin Williams on July 10, 1911 in Mobile, Alabama and began his professional career with the Young Family band, which included saxophonist Lester Young, when he was 14 years old.[2] In 1928, he made his first recordings with pianist James P. Johnson in New York, where he also worked briefly in the bands of Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson.

Williams rose to prominence as a member of Duke Ellington's orchestra, with whom he performed from 1929 to 1940. He recorded his own sessions during this time, both freelance…