Martin Williams was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music. He was born on December 15, 1926, in Princeton, New Jersey, to a family of musicians. His father, Clarence Williams, was a jazz pianist, and his mother, Mary Lou Williams, was a jazz pianist and composer. Martin grew up surrounded by music and was exposed to various genres of music from an early age. Martin Williams showed an interest in music from a young age and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone and became proficient in both instruments. He attended Princeton University, where he studied English literature and music. During his time at Princeton, he played in the university's jazz band and became interested in jazz music. After graduating from Princeton, Martin Williams worked as a music critic for various publications, including The New York Times and The Village Voice. He also wrote several books on jazz music, including "The Jazz Tradition" and "Jazz Masters of the Twenties." His writing was highly regarded and helped to popularize jazz music in the United States. In addition to his work as a music critic and writer, Martin Williams was also a talented musician. He played the saxophone and clarinet and performed with several jazz bands, including the Benny Goodman Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He also recorded several albums as a solo artist, including "The Jazz Tradition" and "Jazz Masters of the Twenties." Martin Williams was a passionate advocate for jazz music and worked to promote the genre throughout his career. He organized several jazz festivals and concerts, including the Newport Jazz Festival and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. He also served as the director of the Jazz Program at the Smithsonian Institution from 1971 to 1991. Throughout his career, Martin Williams received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 1988, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan for his work in promoting jazz music. He was also inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997. Martin Williams passed away on April 13, 1992, at the age of 65. His contributions to the world of music, particularly jazz music, were significant and continue to be celebrated today. His writing and performances helped to popularize jazz music and bring it to a wider audience, and his advocacy for the genre helped to ensure its continued success and relevance.

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