Willie Pickens

[Hot Ptah]

I have really liked what I have heard from Willie Pickens on recordings. What are your recommendations for this artist?

[Harold_Z]

I've only really heard him with Eddie Harris. I've liked what I've heard, but I'm not aware of any other recordings by Pickens.

[Larry Kart]

Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name:

http://itsundertherotunda.blogspot.com/200...ie-pickens.html

I have a nice 1987 Pickens Trio LP on Southport from 1987, "It's About Time!" with Wilber Campbell or Robert Shy on drums and Larry Gray or Dan Shapera on bass. Apparently it's been reissued on CD with extra tracks, with the original seven tracks misidentified as coming from 1997 (at least they say there are extra tracks on the CD, though I don't see them listed):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000009RM...me=&seller=

Unfortunately the price probably is prohibitive.

[Hot Ptah]

Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name:

http://itsundertherotunda.blogspot.com/200...ie-pickens.html

I have a nice 1987 Pickens Trio LP on Southport from 1987, "It's About Time!" with Wilber Campbell or Robert Shy on drums and Larry Gray or Dan Shapera on bass. Apparently it's been reissued on CD with extra tracks, with the original seven tracks misidentified as coming from 1997 (at least they say there are extra tracks on the CD, though I don't see them listed):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000009RM...me=&seller=

Unfortunately the price probably is prohibitive.

Thanks, Larry. I have to think about getting "It's About Time!" at the used Amazon price. The video is great.

I have not been able to find any recent recordings by Willie Pickens, although I have read that his live performances are at a high level. I had hoped that someone might know of recordings from the past few years.

[Free For All]

Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name:

I think the bassist is Nick Tountas.

Willie is an amazing player!

[robviti]

willie pickens is an extremely talented, entertaining, and joyfully spiritual man. i met him at the jazz showcase several years ago (thanks, mark) and ever since i've looked forward to the chance to see him when i visit chicago. with one exception, i own and enjoy every one of his releases. in addition to the excellent it's about time , i recommend checking out jazz spiritual, a two volume exploration of religious songs where pickens' trio is augmented by reedmen ari brown and pat malinger. a holiday favorite of mine is jazz christmas, a 1998 recording on southport that includes nicholas payton.

the only disc i don't have is a 2001 japanese title on pony canyon featuring george mraz and joe farnsworth. i've seen it listed as mr. swing: tribute to wynton kelly and dark eyes, but the price is typically steep. patience, patience.

[Larry Kart]

Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name:

I think the bassist is Nick Tountas.

Willie is an amazing player!

Right, Nick Tountas. Bruce Anderson, the pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Niles, Il., where these jazz vespers are held, is a very talented bassist himself.

P.S. I mis-typed in my previous post. That video is from 2007.

[sheldonm]

Here's a rather stunning video of Pickens from 2002. The drummer is Rusty Jones; I've seen/heard the bassist before but don't recall his name:

I think the bassist is Nick Tountas.

Willie is an amazing player!

...amazing player and wonderful man! I went to his 70th Birthday party and it was basically a tribute to him by a couple dozen great musicians/friends....Faddis, Bellson, C. Terry, G. Bartz, Bunky Greene, Barry Harris, Robert Shy, Larry Gray, Richard Davis and many others....

m

[jlhoots]

Late to the party - but I agree wholeheartedly on the Southport.

Also have Dark Eyes which is excellent.

[Hot Ptah]

Chuck Nessa, Would you have any interest in recording this artist for Nessa Records? He seems to be criminally underrecorded, especially recently.

[robviti]

thanks for starting this thread. not only did it give me an excuse to spend some quality time listening to the discs i do own by willie, it also gave me the encouragement i needed to try again to find dark eyes at a reasonable price. and i did! what a wonderful trio. willie never ceases to amaze and satisfy.

[Chuck Nessa]

Chuck Nessa, Would you have any interest in recording this artist for Nessa Records? He seems to be criminally underrecorded, especially recently.

Just send money.

[paul secor]

Cadence has four Willie Pickens Southport CDs - including It's About Time - for $14 each.

http://db.cadencebuilding.com/searchresult...p;Search=Search

Scroll to bottom of page.

[Hot Ptah]

Chuck Nessa, Would you have any interest in recording this artist for Nessa Records? He seems to be criminally underrecorded, especially recently.

Just send money.

That's the sort of succinct message I like.

How much would be necessary? I am genuinely curious.

[Rob C]

This thread reminds me I should pull out my copy of Von & Ed, led by Von Freeman and Ed Petersen, on which I recall Pickens plays quite nicely. Haven't spun that one in a long while.

[AllenLowe]

who is this guy and why have I never heard of him? His spirit reminds me of Jaki Byard - listening to the clips on his web site -

wow-

[Guest Bill Barton]

Here's a very cool link that Kathryn Smith in Chicagoland shared with me on Facebook:

Edited April 24, 2009 by Bill Barton