Willie Kent

Willie Kent ( born February 24, 1936 in Inverness, Sunflower County, Mississippi, † March 2, 2006 in Englewood, California ) was an American blues singer, bassist and songwriter.

Life

His first singing experience from Willie Kent in his youth in the church. Through the radio show of KFFA " King Biscuit Time", he met Arthur Crudup, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and particularly appreciate Robert Nighthawk. At age eleven, he heard in Harlem Inn where the performing artists such as Raymond Hill, Jackie Brenston, Howlin 'Wolf, Clayton Love, Ike Turner and Little Milton.

In 1952 he came to Chicago, where he worked and the blues heard. He bought a guitar in 1959, he joined the band Ralph and the Red Tops as a driver, manager and occasional singer with. One night was the bassist for the group too drunk to play, and he played bass, the instrument he played the rest of life. Like a Who's Who of Blues His work for other musicians reads, he played for Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Howlin 'Wolf, Junior Parker, Arthur Stallworth and the Chicago Playboys, Hip Chain Link and Jimmy Dawkins. In the 1970s, he undertook his first European tour and was fronting the house band at Ma Bea 's Lounge on Madison Avenue ( Sugar Bear & the Beehives, guitar Willie James Lyons percussion Robert Plunkett ) In 1982 he became a member of Eddie Taylor Blues Band. After his death, he founded his own band, Willie Kent & The Gents. In various occupations they remained until Kent's death exist.

In 1989, after a bypass surgery, he quit his job and devoted himself entirely to music, as can be seen also his discography. Published only two of his albums prior to 1989.

Awards

  • W. C. Handy Awards: Best Blues Instrumentalist, Bass (1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005)
  • Critics Choice: Most Outstanding Blues Musician, Bass Living Blues Magazine (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)
  • Readers 'Choice: Album of the Year 2001 Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin ' Alive
  • Critics choice: Album of the Year 2001 Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin 'Alive
  • France Blues Award: Best Blues Musician, Bass (2002, 2003)
  • Chicago's Album of the Year 1998 Make Room for the Blues
  • Library of Congress ' Best Blues Recording of the Year for 1991 Is not It Nice

Discography

Albums

Guest appearances (selection)

  • John Little John Johnny Littlejohn 's Blues Party (1991 )
  • Eddie Taylor Bad Boy (1993 )
  • Johnny B. Moore Lonesome Blues ( 1993)
  • Al Miller Wild Cards (1995 )
  • Bonnie Lee Sweetheart Of The Blues (1995 )
  • Eddie Shaw Home Alone (1995 )
  • Johnny B. Moore 911 Blues ( 1997)
  • Freddie Roulette Back In Chicago: Jammin 'With Willie Kent And The Gents (1997)
  • Blues Power, Vol 1: Wolf Records Presents The Best of Blues ( 1998)
  • Edward Taylor Lookin For Trouble ( 1998)
  • Boston Blackie / Otis "Big Smokey " Smothers Chicago Blues Session, Vol 1 (1998)
  • Chicago Blues Tour ( 1998)
  • Louisiana Red Millennium Blues ( 1999)
  • Earwig 20th Anniversary Collection (1999)
  • This Is The Blues Harmonica (2000)
  • Vera Taylor You Better Be Careful (2000)
  • Johnny B. Moore Born In Clarksdale Mississippi ( 2001)
  • Iceman Robinson I've Never Been Loved (2001)
  • Delmark - 50 Years Of Jazz And Blues: Blues (2003)
  • West Side Chicago Blues ( 2003)
Blues Music Award
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