Bert Williams

Resource id #76

Bert Williams

Bert Williams (November 12, 1874 – March 4, 1922) was a Bahamian-born American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He is credited as being the first Black man to have the leading role in a film: Darktown Jubilee in 1914. He was by far the best-selling Black recording artist before 1920. In 1918, the New York Dramatic Mirror called Williams "one of the great comedians of the world." Williams was a key figure in the development of African-American entertainment. In an age when racial inequality and stereotyping were commonplace, he became the first black person to take a lead role on the Broadway stage, and did much to push back racial barriers during his three-decade-long career. Fellow vaudevillian W. C. Fields, who appeared in productions with Williams, described him as "the funniest man I ever saw—and the saddest man I ever knew."

Birth and Death Data: Born November 12, 1874 (Nassau), Died March 4, 1922 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1896 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, composer, songwriter, piano, speaker, organ, lyricist, author

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-100 of 142 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Columbia	3536	10-in.	ca. Oct. 1906	He's a cousin of mine	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	3557	10-in.	ca. Nov. 1906	The Mississippi stoker	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal, composer
Columbia	3574	10-in.	between January and September 1906	I've such a funny feeling when I look at you	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	3593	10-in.	ca. Jan.-Mar. 1907	Fare thee! On ma way! Jes' gone!	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	4136	10-in.	ca. Jan.-Aug. 1909	That's a plenty	Arthur Collins	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	composer
Columbia	4682	10-in.	ca. June-July 1910	I'll lend you anything	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	4683	10-in.	ca. June-July 1910	Something you don't expect	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal, composer
Columbia	4684	10-in.	ca. June-July 1910	Constantly	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal, composer
Columbia	4849	10-in.	ca. Aug. 1910	Play that barber-shop chord	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	38525	10-in.	1/3/1913	My landlady	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	composer, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	38539	10-in.	1/7/1913	Woodman, spare that tree	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	38540	10-in.	1/7/1913	Nobody	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	composer, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	38553	10-in.	1/13/1913	Borrow from me	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	composer, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	38554	10-in.	1/14/1913	On the right road	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	composer, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	38576	10-in.	1/21/1913	I certainly was going some	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	39204	10-in.	2/4/1914	You can't get away from it	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	39205	10-in.	2/4/1914	The Darktown Poker Club	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal, composer
Columbia	45906	10-in.	8/2/1915	I'm neutral	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo and monologue, with orchestra	composer, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	45907	10-in.	8/2/1915	Everybody	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo and monologue, with orchestra	author, speaker, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	45911	10-in.	8/4/1915	Indoor sports	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo and monologue, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	45925	10-in.	8/7/1915	Samuel	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo and monologue, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	45986	10-in.	9/7/1915	Hard times	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo and monologue, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	46004	10-in.	9/9/1915	Purpostus	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo and monologue, with orchestra	composer, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	46005	10-in.	9/9/1915	Never mo'	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo and monologue, with orchestra	songwriter, vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	46006	10-in.	9/9/1915	Eph calls up the boss	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal

(Results 76-100 of 142 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Williams, Bert," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103803.

Williams, Bert. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103803.

"Williams, Bert." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.