Jay Mayo Williams (1894 - 1980)

Born 25 Sep 1894 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson, Arkansas, United States

Died 2 Jan 1980 at age 85 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Emma MacBeath [send private message] and US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message]

Jay Williams is a part of US Black history. Join: US Black Heritage Project Discuss: black_heritage

Biography

Jay Williams is Notable.

Jay Mayo Williams is a notable figure for his multifaceted contributions to American culture. He not only excelled as an athlete, making his mark in the early years of the National Football League, but also played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of African American music. His work at Paramount Records, where he discovered talents like Mamie Smith and Papa Charlie Jackson, and later as the manager of Decca Records' race record division, showcased his keen eye for emerging artists and his role as a trailblazer in the music industry. Beyond his accomplishments in sports and music, Williams ventured into entrepreneurship, founding one of the earliest independent black record labels, Black Patti. His significant impact marks his enduring legacy on the careers of numerous artists, and his pivotal role in the development of African American music during a crucial period in its history. Jay Mayo Williams' influence extends beyond the gridiron, making him a noteworthy and respected figure in both the sports and entertainment industry.^[1][2]

Jay Mayo Williams, born on July 25, 1894, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas, was the son of W. Daniel Williams and Millie McFall Williams.^[1][2][3] Tragedy struck the family in 1901, when Jay's father was murdered at Anderson Mill on the Cotton Belt Railway, just south of Pine Bluff.^[4] Following this, Jay's mother moved the family to Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois, where he attended public schools and demonstrated excellence both academically and on the football field.^[1][2][5]

By 1916, Jay had enrolled at Brown University, becoming a standout athlete known for his prowess in track and football. During his time at Brown, he lived in Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois, and continued to excel in both academics and sports.^[1][2][6]

In 1918, amid World War I, Jay Mayo Williams enlisted in the United States Army as a private, serving until his discharge on January 21, 1919.^[7][8] Post-war, he emerged as one of the pioneering black players in the National Football League (NFL) during its early years. He played for teams like the Canton Bulldogs, Dayton Triangles, Hammond Pros, and Cleveland Bulldogs, before concluding his football career in 1926. He earned the nickname "Ink" during this period.^[1][2]

Jay's interest in music eventually took precedence over his athletic pursuits. Paramount Records, recognizing the demand for regional jazz and blues among African Americans, appointed him as the manager of their "Race Division" in Chicago. Under his guidance, Paramount discovered and promoted remarkable talents, such as Mamie Smith and Papa Charlie Jackson. Jay played a pivotal role in assembling and producing a roster of influential artists, including Ida Cox, Trixie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Tampa Red, and others.^[1][2]

In 1927, Jay ventured into entrepreneurship by founding his own record company, Black Patti label, making him one of the early pioneers of independent black record labels in the United States. However, faced with intense competition from major record labels, the venture struggled.^[1][2]

During the Great Depression, Jay temporarily left the music business to coach football at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He returned to the industry in 1934, when Decca Records hired him as the manager of their race record division. At Decca, Jay continued to shape the landscape of African American music, working with artists like Mahalia Jackson, Alberta Hunter, Blind Boy Fuller, and Roosevelt Sykes.^[1][2][9]

Criticism surrounded Jay, known as "Ink," for his ability to convince artists to sign contracts that may not always be in their best interest. Yet, his negotiation skills allowed him to secure additional revenue sources through rights to music or writing credits. After retiring from Decca in 1946, Jay Mayo Williams founded the Chicago, Southern, and Ebony labels, contributing to the development of African American music. He worked with notable artists such as Muddy Waters, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Bonnie Lee, and Oscar Brown.^{[1][2][10][11][12]}

Jay Mayo Williams lived in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, until his death on January 2, 1980.^[1][2][7] He was buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Cook County^[13], and in 2004, his significant contributions to the music industry were posthumously recognized with induction into the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame. Williams' enduring legacy is acknowledged, as he was credited with building one of the most productive careers of any African American in the phonograph business before World War II.^[1][2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10} Cunningham Jr., Jimmy, Nashville, Tennessee, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 16 Jun 2023. "J. Mayo "Ink" Williams (1894–1980)." Accessed 11 Nov 2023.
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10} Wikipedia contributors, "J. Mayo Williams," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=J._Mayo_Williams&oldid=1132260842 (accessed November 11, 2023).
3. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Pine Bluff Ward 3, Jefferson, Arkansas; Roll: 63; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0103 Ancestry Record 7602 #6340728
4. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Southern Standard, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, 21 Nov 1901, Thu. - Page 1. "Father Murdered at Anderson Mill, on the Cotton Belt, south of Pine Bluff." Accessed 21 Nov 1901.
5. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Monmouth Ward 1, Warren, Illinois; Roll: T624_332; Page: 27a; Enumeration District: 0142; FHL microfilm: 1374345 Ancestry Record 7884 #104149345
6. ↑ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Registration State: Illinois; Registration County: Warren County Ancestry Record 6482 #570917
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985: National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, MO, USA; Applications for Headstones and Markers, 7/1/1970-9/30/1985; NAID: 6016127; Record Group Number: 15; Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007 Ancestry Record 2375 #3818219
8. ↑ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010: Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ancestry Record 2441 #10708056
9. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0142; FHL microfilm: 2340155 Ancestry Record 6224 #84330558
10. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00928; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 103-220 Ancestry Record 2442 #144778095
11. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Roll: 3237; Page: 77 A; Enumeration District: 103-481 Ancestry Record 62308 #226191279
12. ↑ U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942: The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (Fourth Registration), For the State of Illinois; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Series Number: M2097 Ancestry Record 1002 #9939985
13. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23223758/jay-mayo-williams: accessed 11 November 2023), memorial page for Jay Mayo Williams (25 Jul 1894–2 Jan 1980), Find A Grave: Memorial #23223758, citing Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Cook County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Richard S. Clark (contributor 46794212).

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q15457955

Acknowledgements

1. I would like to thank Emma (McBeth) MacBeath M.Ed MSM for creating the profile and uploading his picture. Jimmy Honey