William "Bill" J. Tennyson Jr. (1923–1959) was an influential American jazz musician, renowned for his contributions during the Harlem Renaissance. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tennyson was a Louisiana Creole who faced early adversity with the death of his mother at age three. He and his siblings were raised by their grandmother, Mathilda, who had a history of owning a sugar cane plantation.

Tennyson's prodigious talent in music was evident early on, as he attended a university in Louisiana at the age of 13 and later became one of the first people of color to attend the prestigious Juilliard School of Music at 16. A self-taught musician, he became a member of ASCAP in 1950 and collaborated with notable artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Mathis, and The Orioles. He also composed soundtracks for films by Louis Jordan, a pioneering black filmmaker.

In the later stages of his career, Tennyson partnered with Fay Tishman to establish one of the few black-owned music publishing companies. His notable compositions include "Bar Fly Blues," "It Really Ain't Fair to Condemn a Square," and "New Orleans Makes Me Think of Beans," among others.

Tragically, Tennyson's life was cut short at the age of 36 in a car crash in New York, shortly after completing a hit record, "Centerpiece," with John Coltrane. His legacy endures through his contributions to jazz and the broader music landscape.