Music Monday: Joe Williams, Grandpa Hanks

Ah, Grandpa Al Hanks!

As I watched S2E9, "Clair's Sister," I wondered who he was. His voice is hard to forget, that's for sure. (The song duet he sings with Phylicia at the end of the episode is stuck in my head right now.) I did a little research on Joe Williams and would like to feature him today for Music Monday!

Joe Williams and Phylicia Rashad singing,
"We Belong Together" by Shelton Becton. (S2E9)

Here's the quick and dirty on Mr. Joe Williams:

• He was born in 1918 and died in 1999.
• He was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra (!!!) for six years; he then launched a solo career.
• He's shared the stage with jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Nancy Wilson, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Nat "Cannonball" Adderly. 
• He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! He was honored in 1983. 

In the video below, Williams is singing at with the Basie Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in 1981. Hats off to Joe Williams!