Legendary bassist John B. Williams is reportedly receiving hospice care following a serious fall that led to significant health complications.
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Williams, 85, is best known for his long tenure as a member of the band on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
According to TMZ, his wife, Jessica Williams, revealed that the acclaimed musician underwent brain surgery after suffering injuries in the fall.
John B. Williams Receiving Hospice Care Following Health Decline
The report states that Williams is currently being cared for by "round-the-clock nurses" as his condition continues to deteriorate.
Jessica also revealed that her husband had been living with dementia before the accident. The fall is said to have "greatly accelerated its progression."
"At this point, John is unable to walk and can't talk, and his health is on the decline," the TMZ report reads. "We're told one of his last conversations was with his daughter."
Williams joined The Tonight Show Band in 1972. He quickly established himself as one of the most respected bassists in the industry.
During his career, he worked alongside a wide range of celebrated musicians, including Benny Carter and Billy Cobham.
Between 1978 and 1983, he performed in a trio with Michael Wolff, beginning a long-running musical partnership.
Throughout the 1980s, Williams continued collaborating with renowned artists such as Carl Burnett, Art Farmer and Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks, Paul Humphrey, Gerald Wilson, and Nancy Wilson.
Acclaimed Career Spanned Decades of Television and Jazz
Williams and Wolff later became members of the house band on The Arsenio Hall Show. They performed from 1989 through 1993.
The pair continued working together well into the late 1990s.
Before becoming a professional bassist, Williams studied percussion before switching instruments while serving in the United States Marine Corps.
He later studied under legendary bassist Ron Carter. Before joining Horace Silver's group in 1967, remaining with the band until 1969.
Williams built an impressive résumé throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, performing and recording with jazz greats including Mose Allison, Roy Ayers, Count Basie, Kenny Burrell, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Hugh Masekela, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Leon Thomas, and Kai Winding.
In 1969, he was recommended to The Tonight Show musical director Doc Severinsen and eventually split his time between The Tonight Show Band and Sesame Street.
In 2000, Williams scaled back his sideman work to focus on a solo career, releasing his debut album, Gratitude.
