Friday Night Live! Tribute to Joe Williams

The 11-time Detroit Music Award–winning swing band Planet D Nonet has teamed up with drummer/composer/arranger/vocalist Dr. Leonard King in a tribute to jazz singer Joe Williams. Williams was born in Georgia in 1918, and he grew up on the South Side of Chicago. He sang with big bands, most famously with the Count Basie Orchestra.

After his tenure with the Basie band, Williams had a successful career as a soloist at festivals, in clubs, and on TV. Williams recorded more than 40 albums under his own name as well. This is a unique performance: a tribute to a true original that brings together two top Detroit entities: Dr. / Professor Leonard King and the Planet D Nonet, led by RJ Spangler.