Learn about Gladys Williams' impact on Macon music history

There is a truth in mathematics that the whole equals the sum of its parts. This is true with most things in life, and it is definitely true about Macon's music history.

I also believe that it is a rare case when any single individual is indispensable to an enterprise, and though not indispensable, each individual who makes a contribution is important to the result -- or whole. This is especially true when the individual, whether famous or not, was an integral part of the narrative.

We all know the names of the famous in Macon's music history. One of the not-so-famous, but no-doubt fascinating persons is one of the city's native daughters: Gladys R. Williams.

Born in Macon around 1920, Gladys Williams was a renaissance woman during her time. She had polio as a child, but didn't let the disability keep her from using her God-given talent as a musician. She attended Virginia's Hampton University, then returned to Macon, taught music in nearby counties, and gave private piano lessons in her home.

Williams soon opened an after-hours club and founded a show that nurtured many local talents. In the 1930s, she became Macon's first black female band leader when she started -- and played piano for -- the Gladys Williams Orchestra, which employed many young musicians from the community.

Throughout Williams' life, she taught, trained, mentored, employed or was otherwise involved with many musicians in and around Macon. Widely known and respected, she was honored at the City Auditorium for her more than 25 years of service to the Middle Georgia community. The newspaper article that covered the 1955 event called her a local success story.

This is just a snippet of the Gladys Williams story. A deeper dive will be undertaken by American historian Deborah-Patrice Hamlin in her free lecture today entitled, "Gladys R. Williams: Woman of Music, Mission and Service" at the Sidney Lanier Cottage at 1 p.m.

"Gladys Williams' story is one of triumph over adversity," Hamlin said. "Her career is significant not only because she was once stricken by polio, but also because her numerous accomplishments were achieved in the context of a segregated community."

Everyone -- especially anyone who knew Gladys Williams -- is invited to participate in a conversation about this rare talent who not only once graced the Macon music scene as an individual, but also served as an inspiration for many other parts of the Macon music history whole.

Contact Melanie Byas at melanie@retrowarehouse.com.

This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Learn about Gladys Williams' impact on Macon music history ."