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     William "Cat" Anderson was born on September 12, 1916 in Greenville, South Carolina (a close friend of Anderson's says he was born in Moscow, Indiana). He lost both parents when he was 4 years old, and at that point he was sent to live at Jenkins Orphanage in Charleston. His classmates gave him the name "Cat" based on his fighting style and the name stuck for life. At the Orphanage he learned to play the trombone and later the trumpet.

     Anderson toured with the "Carolina Cotton Pickers" a small group based at the Orphanage, and it was with this group that he made his first recording. He later played with Hartley Toots, Claude Hoskins's big band, Doc Wheeler's Sunset Orchestra, Lucky Millinder, The Erskine Hawkins Orchestra, Shabby Lewis' orchestra, and Lionel Hampton with whom he recorded "Flying Home #2".

     Anderson's career really took off when he joined Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1944. He is best remembered as a high-note trumpeter. He could play in the extreme high register (up to triple C) with great power. Anderson played with Duke Ellington form 1944 to 1947, from 1950 to 1959, and from 1961 to 1971.

     Anderson died in 1981 from a brain tumor following a decade of erratic behavior.

One of the "Five Most Important Charleston Jazz Musicians"
(Charleston Jazz Initiative)