The popular hot jazz outfit held residency at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom for most of its life,[6] and recorded on the Victor, Vocalion, Gennett, Okeh, Brunswick, Champion, and Harmony labels.

The flamboyant Williams typically performed wearing a diamond-studded white suit and top hat.

In 1928, Williams traveled to Chicago where he temporarily fronted Dave Peyton's band at the Regal Theatre.

[6] He fell out of favor with the public and eventually retired from performing full-time to sell real estate.

He was also the uncle of the double bassist Charles Mingus who, in 1962, brought Williams back into the spotlight briefly as a guest for the Town Hall concert.