by John BushJoe Williams was the last great big-band singer, a smooth baritone who graced the rejuvenated Count Basie Orchestra during the 1950s and captivated audiences well into the 90s. Born in Georgia, he moved to Chicago with his grandmother at the age of three. Reunited with his mother, she taught him to play the piano and took him to the symphony. Though tuberculosis slowed him while a teenager, Williams began performing at social events and formed his own gospel vocal quartet, the Jubilee Boys.By the end of the 30s he had made the transition to the Chicago clubscene, and appeared with orchestras led by Jimmie Noone and Les Hite during the late 30s. He sang with Coleman Hawkins and Lionel Hampton during the early 40s, and toured with Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy during the mid-40s (making his first recording with that band). Still, lingering illness kept him sidelined from active touring, and he worked as a theater doorman a...