Johnny Williams (saxophonist)

John C. "Johnny" Williams (October 31, 1936, Orangeburg, South Carolina - October 3, 1998) was an American saxophonist, active in jazz, blues and soul idioms. He is best known for his longtime association with the Count Basie Orchestra.

Williams began playing piano as a young child and started playing saxophone at age twelve. He acquired a bachelor's degree in music education at South Carolina State College and then enrolled in a graduate program in music at Indiana University, but because the school did not have a saxophone performance concentration, he left after three semesters. Williams then relocated to Los Angeles, and soon after enlisted in the United States Navy, where he played in military bands. In the late 1960s he did extensive work as a session musician in the horn sections of soul and blues groups, including Ike and Tina Turner and many Motown Records artists (The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder). From 1970 to 1975 he was a baritone saxophonist in Count Basie's band, taking over for Cecil Payne, and then joined the group again in 1980 after Charlie Fowlkes left. Williams remained with the group almost up to the time of his death, continuing with the group after Basie died and leadership of the group passed on to Thad Jones, Frank Foster, and then Grover Mitchell.