Rubberlegs Williams

Henry "Rubberlegs" Williams (14 July1907 in Atlanta - 17 October 1962 in New York City) was an American blues and jazz singer and dancer.

Williams became employed at the age of 16 as dancer with Bobby Grant's Female Impersonators. After he was successful in several Cakewalk and Charleston competitions he achieved success in Vaudeville and went on several tours with the Theater Owners Booking Association. He got his nickname "Rubberlegs" because he danced as if he had legs made ​​of rubber. In 1933 he appeared in the short film Smash Your Luggage. He also appeared as a singer with prominent artists such Count Basie Orchestra, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb and Charlie Parker, and sang on the first recording of Dizzy Gillespie's "Hot House" on April 1, 1945 in New York City. He was a regular performer at the Southland ballroom in Boston, and according to Count Basie, he became the venue's most prominent attraction with his elaborates dances.