Legendary pianist Roger Williams dies after battle with cancer

Source: CNN

By Greg Botelho, CNN
updated 9:12 PM EST, Sat October 8, 2011

Award-winning pianist Roger Williams, who played before nine U.S. presidents and recorded dozens of albums over his long career, died early Saturday in Los Angeles after a struggle with pancreatic cancer, his assistant said. He was 87.

Jacque Heebner, Williams' personal assistant who said she had known the musician for 77 years, said she was with him inside his home when he died. Even into his final weeks, Williams continued to perform and to champion such causes as music education. He had recently released an album and was under contract for three more, she said.

"There was never a man with a more tender, gentle heart," Heebner said. "He was a charming man, even at the age of 87."

Born Louis Weertz in Omaha, Nebraska, the pianist attended Drake University and the Juilliard School in New York City. He then met Dave Kapp, the founder of Kapp Records, who suggested the musician change his name to Roger Williams, according to a biography on the Hit Parade Hall of Fame website.


Read more: http://us.cnn.com/2011/10/08/showbiz/roger-williams-obit/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

version of "Autumn Leaves." Maybe they still are learning it. Roger Williams had quite a career as a pianist.

both my uncle and little sister took lessons at one