Bert Williams

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 126-142 of 142 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Columbia	79566	10-in.	12/10/1920	My last dollar	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	79567	10-in.	12/10/1920	I'm gonna quit Saturday	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	79934	10-in.	7/12/1921	'Tain't no disgrace to run when you're skeered	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	79940	10-in.	7/13/1921	I ain't afraid of nuthin' dat's alive	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	80038	10-in.	10/24/1921	Brother low down	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	80040	10-in.	10/28/1921	Unexpectedly	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	80191	10-in.	2/24/1922	Not lately	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	30039	12-in.	9/26/1906	All in, out and down	Bert Williams	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	vocalist, baritone vocal
Columbia	36538	12-in.	1/3/1913	You can't do nothing till Martin gets here	Bert Williams	Comic monologue	speaker
Columbia	36539	12-in.	1/3/1913	How? Fried	Bert Williams	Comic monologue	speaker
Columbia	49643	12-in.	6/27/1919	Elder Eatmore's sermon on "Generosity"	Bert Williams	Comic monologue, with mixed vocal trio and organ	speaker
Columbia	49644	12-in.	6/27/1919	Elder Eatmore's sermon on throwing stones	Bert Williams	Sermon, with male vocal solo and organ	speaker
Columbia	W142420	10-in.	7/12/1926	Let it alone	J. L. Bischof	Male vocal solo, with piano	composer
Columbia	W143772	10-in.	3/26/1927	Let it alone	Chris Bouchillon	Male vocal solo, with guitar	composer
OKeh	W404628	10-in.	12/9/1930	You gonna get something you don’t expect	Fiddlin' John Carson ; Virginia Reelers	Instrumental ensemble, with vocal	songwriter
Edison	8957	10-in.	5/3/1923	Constantly	Kaplan's Melodists	Jazz/dance band	composer
Edison	9836	10-in.	11/7/1924	You're gwine to get somethin' what you don't expect	Guy Hunter	Male vocal solo, with orchestra	songwriter

(Results 126-142 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.