ARTIST FRIENDS

Johnny Adams (RIP 1998) – Brilliant, critically acclaimed New Orleans based vocalist.  Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the Johnny Adams band on tour.
Justin Adams – Guitar and Banjo –
Placide Adams (RIP 2003) – Jazz Double Bass –
Cannonball Adderley (RIP 1975) – Alto Sax –
Bob Amato – Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, and Flugelhorn – Sweet Willie’s colleague with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Ochestra” and the New Orleans Brass Quintet.
Wessell “Warmdaddy” Anderson – Alto and soprano sax.  Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
Clarence Banks – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.  Big Beat Band  And, see Interview 
Art Baron – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.
Dave Bartholomew – (RIP 2019) Trumpet, bandleader, composer, arranger, and record producer.  Sweet Willie frequently played lead trumpet with the Dave Bartholomew bigband.
Alvin Batiste (RIP 2007) – Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone.  Sweet Willie’s bandmate on Professor Longhair’s recording, “Professor Longhair – Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge”.
Germaine Bazzle Vocalist –
Annie Beals – Vocalist – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Todd Beaney – Pianist, Arranger, Composer, and Educator – Arranger for the New Orleans Brass Quintet.
Harry Belafonte (RIP 2023) – Grammy Award winning Singer, award winning actor, and civil rights activist.
Hermann Bell – Tenor Saxophone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Jeff Bevan – Bass  “Sweet Willie & His Gentleman of Jazz” – BeBopish Volume 1.
Tim Beyer – Bass – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Al Belletto (RIP 2014) – Alto Sax and Bandleader – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the Al Belletto big band.
James Black (RIP 1988)– Drums –
Ray Blue – Saxophone, composer, and educator – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.
Greg Bobulinski – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978 European Tour.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
James “Boogaloo” Bolden – Trumpet and Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
James Brown (RIP 2006) – Singer, Dancer, and Showman –
Ruth Brown (RIP 2006) – American R&B vocalist, songwriter, and actress.

Henry Butler (RIP 2018) – Vocalist and Piano –
Cab Calloway (RIP 1994) – Vocalist and Bandleader – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with Cab Calloway’s big band.
Donald Tee Carson (RIP 2000) – Piano – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Amadee Castanell – Tenor Sax and Flute – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate on Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice CD Recording.
John Chaffe – Banjo – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Jon Cleary – Piano, vocals, bandleader – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate on Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice CD Recording.
Kayle P. Clemente – Piano and Musical Director – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Bill Clifford (RIP 1984) – Sweet Willie’s Bandleader 1980-1983 New Orleans Fairmont Hotel’s “Blue Room Orchestra”, trombone and violin.  Obituary
Sonny Cohn (RIP 2006) – Jazz Trumpet Soloist – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster
Chuck Conners (RIP December 11, 1994) – Bass Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate and long time member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Clark Terry Big Band – See this article as well.
Harry Connick, Jr. – Vocalist, Piano, Actor, TV personality –
Harry Connick, Sr. (RIP January 25, 2024) – Singer and long time, 30 year New Orleans District Attorney.  A true New Orleans legend. Sweet Willy played lead trumpet with the Harry Connick, Sr. orchestra.  See Harry Connick, Sr. Obituary who passed away at home at the age of 97.
Willy Cook (RIP 2000) – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978 European Tour.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Sonny Costanzo (RIP 1993)– Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Tony Dagradi – Tenor Sax, Flute, and Clarinet. Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.  See Website
Mel Dalton (RIP 2008) – Tenor Sax – Review 1 and Review 2
Jeremy Davenport – Trumpet and Singer – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.  See Website
Wallace Davenport (RIP 2004) – Trumpet
Myrtle David – Piano and Founder and Executive Director, DuBose Foundation.  Sweet Willie’s frequent classical piano accompanist in the early 1970’s for Sweet Willie’s classical trumpet solo performances.  In particular, on the suburb recording, “Sweets Plays Puccini” on Cornet.
Charles Davis (RIP 2016) – Saxophone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
George Davis (RIP 2008) Bass – Sweet Willie’s bandmate on Professor Longhair’s recording, “Professor Longhair – Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge”.
Sammy Davis Jr. – Grammy Award winning Singer, Emmy Award winning actor, comedian, and dancer.   Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the Sammy Davis Jr. orchestra.
Tom Davis – Trumpet, Arranger, Composer, and Educator.  Arranger for the New Orleans Brass Quintet.
Amy Decker – Winds – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Johnny Desmond – Singer – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Bill Dillard (RIP 1995) – Trumpet, actor, and singer. – Sweet Willie’s bandmate with the “Black and Blue” stage show.   See:  Stage Show    See Bill Dillard performing: “Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home”
Phyllis Diller (RIP 2012) – American stand-up comedian, actress, and author.  Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the Phyllis Diller orchestra.
Eric “Big Daddy” Dixon (RIP 1989) – Saxophone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster
Cera Drake – Vocalist – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jimmy Duggan  (RIP 1995)  – Trombone, Arranger, and Conductor – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”
Snooks Eaglin (RIP 2009) Guitar – Sweet Willie’s bandmate on Professor Longhair’s recording, “Professor Longhair – Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge”.
Bill Easley – Tenor and Alto Sax
Chuck Easterling (RIP 1998) – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Gerry Eastman – Guitar – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster
Tom Ebbert (RIP 2013) – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Billy Eckstine (RIP 1993) – Jazz and Pop Vocalist and Bandleader.  Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the Billy Eckstine orchestra.
Bobby Eldridge – Baritone Sax – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the Direction of Mercer Ellington.
Mercer Ellington (RIP 1996) – Sweet Willie’s Bandleader and Musical Director of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Donald Evans – Tenor Sax
Jon Faddis – Trumpet, conductor, composer, and educator.  Sweet Willie and Jon Faddis performed together at a jazz concert in Michigan.
Lola Falana – Singer and Actress – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for her many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Ella Fitzgerald (RIP 1996) – Award winning jazz singer.  Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for her many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Max Fleming – Bass – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.
King Floyd (RIP 2006) – New Orleans soul singer
Clarence Ford (1994)– Sax & Clarinet –
Ricky Ford – Tenor Sax – Sweet Willie’s bandmate with the “Black and Blue” stage show as well as Sweet Willie’s bandmate with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington.

Frank Foster (RIP 2011) – Tenor and soprano sax, flute, arranger, and composer. Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with  Count Basie Orchestra with Frank Foster acting as Musical Director and Tenor Soloist.
Stephen Foster – Vocal, sax, and music education and also, Article 1.
Aretha Franklin (RIP 2018) – American vocalist, songwriter, and pianist.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for her many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Antonio Garcia – Trombone, Bass Trombone, Arranger, Composer, Author,  Award Winning Educator including the 2023 Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor.  Also, Arranger and Producer for the New Orleans Brass Quintet.

Jack “Mr. Fabulous” Gardner – French Horn. Performed French Horn and Harpsichord for 45 Years with the New Orleans Symphony.  Sweet Willie’s colleague with the New Orleans Brass Quintet.
Mike Genevay – Tenor and Bass Trombone – Performed with the Pete Fountain Band for 33 years. Sweet Willie’s colleague with the New Orleans Brass Quintet.
Steve Giarratano (RIP Feb. 6, 2022) – Alto and Tenor Sax, Clarinet, and Flute – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”

Dizzy Gillespie (RIP 1993) – Trumpet, bandleader, and composer.  Sweet Willie took trumpet lessons with Dizzy Gillespie.
Daniel Jack Gillisse (RIP 2002) – Vocalist – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Savion Glover – American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer. Sweet Willie’s colleague with the “Black and Blue” stage show.

Victor Goines – Bass Clarinet and Baritone Sax.  Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
John Gordon (RIP 2003) – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978. Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Gary Grant– Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s bandmate with the United States Navy Band program…Gary Grant is a longtime, highly regarded Los Angeles recording session lead trumpet player as well as soloist.  Also see, Article 1 and Article 2.
Lew Green – Cornet – Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Tracey Griffin – Trumpet and Board Member of the New Orleans chapter of the American Federation of Musicians Local 174-496.
Barrie Lee Hall Jr. – Trumpet and Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Slim Harpo (RIP 1970) – Blues singer, guitar, blues harmonica
Ray Harris – Trombone
David Hay (RIP 2013) – Brilliant jazz pianist who performed with Sweet Willie Singleton’s “Gentlemen of Jazz” quintet.
Kenny Hing (RIP 2019) – Tenor Saxophone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster
Al Hirt (RIP 1999) – Trumpet and Bandleader.  Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the Al Hirt Orchestra for Hirt’s New Years Eve and New Orleans Jazz Fest performances.
Clint Holmes – Singer and Song Writer – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Bob Hope (RIP 2003) – American comedian, actor, entertainer, and producer.  Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the Bob Hope Orchestra during Bob Hope’s tour of Michigan and the upper Midwest.
Linda Hopkins (RIP 2017)– Tony-winning American actress and blues and gospel singer.  Sweet Willie played lead trumpet with the “Black and Blue” Stage Show in Paris from 1985-1989.

Lena Horn – Grammy Award winning Singer, award winning actress, dancer, and civil rights activist.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Danny House – Alto Sax Soloist – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.  See Facebook
William Houston (RIP 2017) – Piano Teacher/Arranger & Record Producer.  Obituary
Bill Hughes (RIP 2018) – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Edie Evans Hyde – Vocalist – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  “Command Performance Recording”
Ernest Jackson – Vocalist (Baton Rouge, LA) – Reverb Nation Recordings Article: USA Today
Herman Jackson – Drums –
Randy Jackson – Bass Guitar, record executive, and television presenter.
Dan Jacobs – Trumpet – Photo with Sweet Willie Singleton
Erik Jakobson – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
Bunchy Johnson (RIP 2010)– Drums and Vocals – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate on Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice CD Recording.   See: Obituary
Money Johnson (RIP 1978) – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the Direction of Mercer Ellington.
Leroy Jones – Trumpet and bandleader
Kid Jordan (RIP 2023) – Tenor and Baritone Saxophone.  – Sweet Willie’s bandmate on Professor Longhair’s recording, “Professor Longhair – Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge”.
John Joyce – Drums – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Lainie Kazan – American Actress and Singer.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Clyde Kerr Jr. (RIP 2021) 2nd Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s bandmate on Professor Longhair’s recording, “Professor Longhair – Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge”.
Benny Keys – Drums – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate “Sweet Willie & His Gentleman of Jazz”.
Ernie K-Doe (RIP 2001) – New Orleans R&B singer
Tony Klatka – Trumpet, Arranger, Composer – Performed with Blood, Sweat, and Tears from 1974 and 1978. Tony Klatka also performed as a featured soloist as a member of Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd trumpet section from 1969-1974. Tony Klatka also composed and/or arranged a series of critically acclaimed big band arrangements that were both performed and recorded by Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd.  Tony Klatka’s Facebook Page
Gladys Knight – Vocalist and actress – – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.  Gladys Knight’s Website 
Steve Lawrence – Singer, comedian, and award winning actor.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Carol Leigh (RIP 2020) – Vocals – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.  See: Obituary
Roger Lewis – Baritone sax – Article 1 and Article 2 and Article 3.
Professor Longhair (RIP 1980)– Piano and vocals – Professor Longhair was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981.  In 1987, he was awarded a posthumous Grammy Award. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.  Sweet Willie played trumpet on several of Longhair’s recordings that were cut in the 1970’s.  See compilation recording, released in 1991 entitled, “Professor Longhair – Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge.”
John Longo – Trumpet and Former Member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the Direction of Mercer Ellington.  Also, John Longo also was Wynton Marsalis’s High School trumpet teacher. (SEE PARAGRAPH 12 OF W. Marsalis interview)
Dennis Mackrel – Drums – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Stan Mark (RIP 2022) – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s bandmate with the United States Navy Band program..Stan Mark was best known for playing lead trumpet with the Maynard Ferguson Band from 1973-1982. Also, noted for playing lead trumpet with the United States Navy Jazz Ensemble; “The Commodores, from 1967 to 1970.
Branford Marsalis – Tenor, Alto, and Soprano Sax, Composer and Bandleader. The Branford Marsalis Quartet received a Grammy Award in 2001 for their album Contemporary Jazz.  Click for: Branford Marsalis Website
Ellis Marsalis (RIP 2020)– Brilliant New Orleans based Pianist and Educator. New York Times obituary.  Ellis Marsalis received a Grammy Trustees Award posthumously in 2023.   Sweet Willie and Ellis worked a number of New Orleans based recordings sessions together over the years.
Wynton Marsalis – Grammy Award Winning Jazz Trumpet and Classical Trumpet soloist. Musical Director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra since 1991.  Sweet Willie and Wynton performed together in New York at various major venues beween 1993 and 1998.  Click for: Wynton Marsalis Website.
Peter Martin – Piano – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra,  See: Website
Lloyd Mayers – Pianist –
Cindy Mayes – Baritone Sax and Secretary-Treasurer of the New Orleans chapter of the American Federation of Musicians Local 174-496.
Frank Mayes – Clarinet and tenor sax and Board Member of the New Orleans chapter of the American Federation of Musicians Local 174-496.
Mulgrew Miller (RIP 2013) – Pianist
The Mills Brothers – Vocal Group.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for this groups many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Harold “Geezil” Minerve (RIP 1992) – Alto Sax – Performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the Direction of Mercer Ellington.
Dr. Frank Minyard – Trumpet player and long time New Orleans coroner (medical examiner) and longest serving big city coroner in the United States.  See: Article   See: Obituary
Linda Missad – Keyboards – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste – Drums
Anita Moore (RIP 2001) – Singer – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington Obituary:  New York Times
Ray Moore – Alto Sax and woodwind doubler – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”
Bill Moring – Bass – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Mark Mullins – Trombone – Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
Reynold “Zeke” Mullins (RIP 2019)– Piano – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.  See: Obituary
Joe Muranyi (RIP 2012) – Clarinet and Sax – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Melton Mustafa (RIP 2017) – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.  See: Obituary
Raful Neal (RIP 2004) – American blues singer, harmonicist, and song writer based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Bob Ojeda (RIP 2020) – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Brian O’Neill (RIP 2005) – Bass Trombone, Trombone, piano, arranger, producer, bandleader – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
Doc Paulin (RIP 2007) – Trumpet and Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate on Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice CD Recording
Nicholas Payton – Trumpet – Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.  See: Website
Walter Payton (RIP 2010) – Vocalist and Bass
Edward Perkins – Vocalist – See: Recording
Ed Peterson – Tenor Sax, Flute, and Clarinet. Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.  See: Website  
George Porter Jr. – Bass and Vocals – George Porter Website
Gordon Prouix – Guitar – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Wardell Quezergue (RIP 2011) – New Orleans composer, arranger, record producer, and bandleader.
Lou Rawls (RIP 2006) – Grammy Award winning Singer, record producer, composer, and actor.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Della Reese (RIP 2017) – Award winning Jazz and gospel singer, and award winning actress.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Herlin Riley – Drums – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.  See: Website
Wanda Rouzan – Renowned New Orleans based vocalist and entertainer.  Review and Interview Wanda Rouzan Website
Hilton Ruiz (RIP 2006)– Piano – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  See: Obituary  See: Article Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Bobby Rutledge – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the Direction of Mercer Ellington.  And,  Tribute to Art Blakey on YouTube.
Gregg Sanborn – Vocalist – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Thomas Saunders – Bass Sax, Tuba, and String Bass. Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.  See Snug Harbor Presents
Bill Saxton – Tenor Sax – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  See: Website   Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Jamel Schrif – Trumpet –
George Shearing (RIP 2011) – Grammy Award winning jazz singer.   See: Article 
Andy Sheneman – Percussion – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with Command Performance at the Circle Musical Theatre in the Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Frank Sinatra, Jr. – Singer, songwriter, conductor, and bandleader.
Dee-Dee Shirley – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
James Singleton – Acoustic bass, composer, and producer.
Ed Soph – Drums – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
The Spinners – Vocal Group – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for this groups many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Victor Sproles (RIP 2005)– Bass – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Dick Stabile – Jazz alto sax and clarinet, bandleader, and bandleader at the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra” for many years.
Wayne Starnes – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”
Fred Starr – Clarinet, Sax, Bandleader and Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
John Talarico (RIP 2000) – Alto Sax, Piano, Woodwinds, Arranger, Composer, Bandleader, Conductor, and Educator. Arranger for the New Orleans Brass Quintet.
Ray Taranto – Clarinet and Sax – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Malcom “Big Love ” Taylor – Trombonist for many years with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Joe Temperley (RIP 2016) Longtime (25 years) Baritone Sax Player with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis.  Joe Temperley’s Obituary.
Clark Terry (RIP 2015) – American swing and bebop trumpeter, a pioneer of the flugelhorn in jazz, and a composer and educator and received The 2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1991 Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor
The Dells – American R&B vocal group.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for this groups many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Christopher Thomas – Bass – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
Irma Thomas – Grammy Award winning American singer from New Orleans.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for her  many shows performed with the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Tabby Thomas (RIP 2014) – American blues singer, piano, and guitar based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Emory Thomson – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate  with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.  See: YouTube
Neal Tidwell (RIP 2007) – Virtuoso Tuba Player – Performed with the New Orleans Symphony for 23 years. Sweet Willie’s colleague with the New Orleans Brass Quintet..
David Torkanowsky – Piano, Producer, and Conductor of the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.  Article 1, and Article 2.
John Touchy – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
Rick Trolson – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans CAC Jazz Orchestra.
Robert Trowers – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Alan Toussaint (RIP 2015) – Award winning Songwriter, arranger, bandleader, record producer, and pianist.
Danny Turner (RIP 1995) – Tenor Sax – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Alvin “Red” Tyler (RIP 1998) – Tenor Sax, Arranger, and Composer –
Reed Vaughan (RIP 2011)– Drummer – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Sarah Vaughan (RIP 1990) – Grammy Award winning Vocalist –
Mike Vax – Trumpet – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978 European Tour.  See: Website   Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Ben Vereen – Singer, award winning actor, and dancer.
Terry Waldo – Piano – Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Melton Wanzo (RIP 2005) – Trombone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster.
Mike Ward (RIP 1998) – Drums and percussion – Sweet Willie's Bandmate on Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice CD Recording
Michael Ward – Jazz Violin –
Mary Wells (RIP 1992) – Vocalist –
James R. West – Trumpet – Former principal trumpet with the Baton Rouge Symphony and professor of trumpet at the Louisiana State University School of Music
Dr. Michael White – Jazz clarinetist, bandleader, composer, jazz historian, and music educator.
Charles Williams – Alto Saxophone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978
Claude Williams – Jazz violinist and guitarist – Sweet Willie’s bandmate with the “Black and Blue” stage show.  See: Stage Show.

Cootie Williams (RIP 1985) – Trumpet and featured soloist and longtime member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Jackie Williams (RIP 2023) – Drums – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.
Joe Williams (RIP 1999) – Grammy award winning Jazz singer.
John Williams – Saxophone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Count Basie Orchestra under the Direction of Frank Foster
Nancy Wilson (RIP 2018) – Grammy award winning singer.  – Sweet Willie played lead trumpet for his many shows performed with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra”.
Stevie Wonder – 25 Grammy Award Winner American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer.
Booty Wood (RIP 1987) – Trombone
Chris Woods (RIP 1985) – Alto Saxophone – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Clark Terry Big Band 1978.  Clark Terry Big Band Recording 1 – Clark Terry Big Band Recording 2
Bill Wurtzell – Guitar – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band.  See: Website
Antonio York – Pianist, Conductor, and Vocalist and Facebook – Sweet Willie’s Sweet Willie's Bandmate with the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel “Blue Room Orchestra.”
Vincent York – Founder, JAZZistory Artistic Director and Bandleader. Alto/tenor/soprano saxophones, clarinet, flute, piccolo, oboe

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