Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Williams, Len June 2, 1940
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com March 7, 2014, 10:34 am

Norfolk Journal and Guide,Saturday,June 15,1940
Funeral services for Len Williams, 40, founder and manager of the now famous
Norfolk Jazz Quartet, who died Sunday night, June 2, in a New York hospital,
were held here Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan AME Church of which the
Rev. S. E. Dixon is pastor.

Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery with Hale's Funeral Parlor in charge of
arrangements.

Mr. Williams, according to information gathered from relatives was stricken
Sunday night, June 2, while directing the quartet he has made famous at a New
York Church during a recital.  Death was attributed to apoplexy.

He was a son of the late Bass Williams and Mrs. Louise Williams who now resides
at 946 Bynum St., Norfolk.  A brother, Herman Williams of 810 E. Olney Road and
two sisters, the Misses Louise and Mildred Williams, both of the Bynum Street
address, are among the survivors.

The Norfolk Jazz Quartet, which he founded several years ago, had gained local
and national prominence as a radio, concert and recording unit, having turned
out numerous recordings for the Decca Recording Company.  It later took on the
name of Norfolk Jubilee Quartet, and after going to New York about two years ago
it sang under the title of Four Alphabets.

The unit was appeared in several key spots around the Metropolis and had been
booked at the "Famous Door" on Broadway for six weeks.

Other than engaging in a number of quartet contests in Norfolk and vicinity, the
quartet under Mr. Williams held a sustaining spot on Station WGH.  Members of
the first quartet were Melvin Colden, baritone,  Isaiah Sessoms, second tenor,
Norman Harris, first tenor, with the deceased acting as director and bass. 
Sessoms was later replaced by Raymond Smith.

Additional Comments:
Calvary Cemetery

not on cemetery listing (Unrecorded interment)

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