Biography:Vivian T. Williams
Vivian T. Williams
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| Given name: | Vivian Tomlinson |
| Middle name: | |
| Family name: | Williams |
| Place of birth: | Tacoma, WA, USA |
| Place of death: | Seattle Washington |
| Year of birth: | 1938 |
| Year of death: | 2023 |
| Profile: | Editor, Musician, Publisher |
| Source of information: | Bluegrass today, personal knowledge |
Biographical notes
Vivian Tomlinson Williams was born on May 27, 1938, in Tacoma, Washington, where her early years were influenced by her father’s fiddle and harmonica playing, and her mother’s love of gypsy violin. She began taking piano lessons at the age of six and classical violin lessons three years later.
While at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where she met her future husband, Phil Williams, she played mandolin, guitar, and banjo. A late-1950s appearance at the college by Pete Seeger ignited the couple’s interest in folk music.
While there she earned a BA in American History, and then an MA in Anthropology/Ethnomusicology from the University of Washington.
In 1960, at the age of 22, she switched to fiddle, initially playing bluegrass and Southern old time music. Later Williams specialized in Northwest regional styles, 19th century ballroom, and pioneer music of the American Far West.
She went on to win at fiddle contests all over the USA, and most importantly at Weiser, where in her old age she was barred from competing in the Senior Senior division and had to go back to Open division where she continued to win and against much tougher competition.
Vivian wrote tunes, many of which you will find here in the TTA, taught many people via private lessons, workshops and jams. She was always gracious to beginners and shy players but would compete with the best of them.
She had a monthly jam; the first Wednesday of every month that went on for many years until the pandemic.
Vivian also loved the Traditional Tune archive and was constantly adding tunes and more edits to all sorts of tunes.
Vivian died in 2023 to Lou Gehrig's disease. She played and performed her entire life. Her last recorded performance was in October, and she died the following January