Bronzeville in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Joe Williams

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 28, 2026

1. Joe Williams Marker

Inscription.
Jazz & blues musician
"Emperor of the Blues"

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 41° 50.224′ N, 87° 37.016′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bronzeville. It can be reached from South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive north of East 32nd Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side and in Chicago’s Bronzeville.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker: Scott Joplin (a few steps from this marker); Edith Spurlock Sampson (within shouting distance of this marker); Ferdinand Lee Barnett (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe "King" Oliver (within shouting distance of this marker); Theresa Needham (within shouting distance of this marker); Ida B. Wells-Barnett (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph J. Jordan (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. J.B. Martin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Joe Williams. Joe Williams was born in Georgia and came to Chicago when he was 3 years old; he later attended Englewood High School. Known for singing in big bands such as the Count Basie Orchestra and Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Williams also portrayed Bill Cosby's father-in-law on three episodes of The Cosby Show. Williams died in Las Vegas on March 29, 1999, at age 80.

Also see . . . Every Day I Have the Blues: A Tribute in Memory of Bluesman Joe Williams.

Excerpt: "Early in his career Joe Williams performed in bands led by Erskine Tate, Coleman
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 28, 2026

2. Joe Williams Marker
Hawkins and Lionel Hampton, before soaring to stardom with the Count Basie Band. In his lifetime, he received countless awards, and made numerous recordings and television appearances; shortly before his 1994 session at The Landing he released his album Here’s to Life on the Telarc label."

(Submitted on October 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Joe Williams (1918-1999) image. Click for full size.

Brian McMillen, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), circa 1986

3. Joe Williams (1918-1999)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.