Jazz Musician. A pianist, he was an influential figure of the West Coast, bebop jazz genre of the 1950s. Born Claude Berkeley Williamson, he began playing the piano at the age of seven and was trained at the New England Conservatory of Music. Shaped by Teddy Wilson, Al Haig and Bud Powell, Williamson moved to San Francisco during in 1947 and began his career as a performer with Teddy Edwards, followed by Red Norvo and later Charlie Barnet. While with Barnet, Williamson contributed to his notable Capital Big Band recording sessions (1949). For two years, he accompanied singer June Christy and played the piano on her 1950 track "A Mile Down the Highway". Followings service with the United States Army during the Korean War, he joined the "Lighthouse All Stars", which were led by Howard Rumsey. During this period, under the direction of Stan Kenton, Williamson recorded the solo albums "Claude Williamson" (1954) and "Keys West" (1955), both as the "Claude Williamson Trio", while maintaining a busy sessions schedule with Art Pepper, Charlie Mariano and Bud Shank. During the 1960s and 1970s, Williamson was a conductor and composer for such variety programs as "The Andy Williams Show", "Sonny & Cher" and "Donnie & Marie". By the 1980s, he had resumed his sessions music work. He died of complications from a broken hip, the result of a fall a year earlier. He was the older brother of Stu Williamson (1933-1991) who was an accomplished jazz musician (trumpeter) in his own right.
Jazz Musician. A pianist, he was an influential figure of the West Coast, bebop jazz genre of the 1950s. Born Claude Berkeley Williamson, he began playing the piano at the age of seven and was trained at the New England Conservatory of Music. Shaped by Teddy Wilson, Al Haig and Bud Powell, Williamson moved to San Francisco during in 1947 and began his career as a performer with Teddy Edwards, followed by Red Norvo and later Charlie Barnet. While with Barnet, Williamson contributed to his notable Capital Big Band recording sessions (1949). For two years, he accompanied singer June Christy and played the piano on her 1950 track "A Mile Down the Highway". Followings service with the United States Army during the Korean War, he joined the "Lighthouse All Stars", which were led by Howard Rumsey. During this period, under the direction of Stan Kenton, Williamson recorded the solo albums "Claude Williamson" (1954) and "Keys West" (1955), both as the "Claude Williamson Trio", while maintaining a busy sessions schedule with Art Pepper, Charlie Mariano and Bud Shank. During the 1960s and 1970s, Williamson was a conductor and composer for such variety programs as "The Andy Williams Show", "Sonny & Cher" and "Donnie & Marie". By the 1980s, he had resumed his sessions music work. He died of complications from a broken hip, the result of a fall a year earlier. He was the older brother of Stu Williamson (1933-1991) who was an accomplished jazz musician (trumpeter) in his own right.
Bio by: C.S.
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