Charles Melvin ("Cootie") Williams (July 24, 1910 - September 15, 1985) was an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. He rose to prominence as a member of Duke Ellington's orchestra, with which he performed from 1929 to 1940. He also recorded his own sessions during this time, both freelance and with other Ellington sidemen. In 1940 he joined Benny Goodman's orchestra, then in 1941 formed his own orchestra, in which over the years he employed Charlie Parker Read more on Last.fm