On August 19, 1997, “Mapleshade” label released “When Alto Was King”, the fifth and the final C. I. Williams album. It was recorded May 1995 – March 1996 and was produced by Hamiet Bluiett.

Personnel:

• I. Williams- alto saxophone
• Larry Willis- piano
• Don Blackman- piano
• Ed Cherry- guitar
• Keter Betts- bass
• Jimmy Cobb- drums

Track listing:

All tracks by C. I. Williams except where noted.

1. You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To – Cole Porter
2. Punkin Juice
3. ‘Round Midnight – Thelonious Monk
4. Catfish Sammich
5. Misty – Erroll Garner
6. Lover Man – Jimmy Davis, Ram Ramirez, James Sherman
7. Because of You – Arthur Hammerstein, Dudley Wilkinson
8. Jeep’s Blues – Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges
9. I’ll Close My Eyes – Buddy Kaye, Billy Reid
10. Avalon – Buddy DeSylva, Al Jolson, Vincent Rose
11. Precious Lord – Thomas A. Dorsey