A piano powerhouse, WILLIE PICKENS began his career on Eddie Harris’ 1961 national hit record, Exodus, since then playing with James Moody, Roy Eldridge, Max Roach, Clark Terry, Ira Sullivan, Elvin Jones, and so many more. But instead of joining the national and international jazz scene, Willie chose to make his home in Hyde Park, becoming a public school teacher, an active member of the Hyde Park Union Church, a faculty member at NIU, and a mentor to scores of upcoming musicians. Just passing his 80th birthday, Willie is more in demand and playing better than ever. The Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich writes that Willie’s intense dramatic performances result from his “large and complex chords, his great splashes of color and dissonance in the right hand and his barrelhouse octaves in the left.” His powerful and popular CDs Jazz Spirit, volumes 1 & 2, grew out of his annual sold-out Christmas concerts. LARRY GRAY on bass and ROBERT SHY on drums complete the Trio.
Video
Watch Willie Pickens’ 2011 performance at The Jazz Showcase in Chicago:
*Please note: Video samples do not necessarily represent HPJF lineup.
Website: http://www.niu.edu/music/faculty/wpickens.shtml
