The popular hot jazz outfit held residency at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom for most of its life and recorded on the Victor, Vocalion, Gennett, Okeh, Brunswick, Champion, and Harmony labels.
The flamboyant Williams typically performed wearing a white suit and top hat.
In 1928 Williams traveled to Chicago where he temporarily fronted Dave Peyton's band at the Regal Theatre.
Calling the group Fess Williams and His Joy Boys, he recorded two sides with them for Vocalion.
The Royal Flush Orchestra continued to operate in his absence, and in 1929 he returned to New York to resume his duties.