Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

On September 16, 2011, legendary blues man and great friend of the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival Willie "Big Eyes" Smith passed away at age 75.

A brilliant drummer, harmonica player and vocalist, he represented the true essence of Chicago Blues, and was highly regarded by all as an undisputed master.

 

For more information visit: www.williebigeyessmith.com

 
The following is a tribute and series of recollections from Festival co-founder Larry Kurtz...

We are saddened by the passing of one of the true greats of the blues, drummer and harmonica player Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Not only a gifted musician, he was a kind and very personable man with a strong connection to Orangeville. 

I first met Willie in 1998. A friend of mine from Al Lerman's harmonica workshops, Andrew Kempa, was a on a trip to Chicago. He was in search of Muddy Waters' house. By chance, he ran into Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on the street, who happened to live a few houses away from Muddy.

Willie shows off the hardware at the 2011 Grammy Awards

Being the knowledgeable blues man he was, Andrew recognized Willie as the long time drummer for the Legendary Muddy Waters Band. The two talked and struck up a fast friendship. Andrew's love and enthusiasm for the blues led him to invite Willie to Toronto to record an album with some of the best blues musicians in Canada. He invited me and my wife Norma, to the live recording session at The Blue Goose Tavern in Etobicoke. This was where I first met all the musicians including Jack DeKeyzer and Morgan Davis on guitars, Alec Fraser on Bass Tyler Yarema on piano and of course, Willie on Drums. I already knew Al Lerman who played harp and produced on the recording called "Nothin But The Blues Y"All.
 
I had my first taste of concert promoting in 1999 when Andrew & I presented Willie "Big Eyes" Smith & The Juke Joint Rockers at the old Mad Hatter Pub on Broadway in Orangeville. The

Al Lerman, Jack DeKeyzer, Willie & Shane Scott - Mad Hatter Pub December 1999

concert was a huge success with a sellout crowd and many more left outside wishing they had bought a ticket. I had the pleasure of having Willie over to my house to record on a couple of tracks in the studio with Bruce Ley and myself. 

In 2002, the year before the start of Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival, once again Andrew & I presented a concert with Willie at the Orangeville Opera House. This time the band included Jack DeKeyzer, the legendary Bob Stroger (Willie's dearest friend) on bass and Bruce Ley on piano. The sold out audience went wild, loving every minute of it! I can remember asking Willie what he thought of the new, young up and coming blues musicians and he said, "They's pretty good, but they ain't playing the kind of sh*t  I want to hear!"
 

John Bessie & Willie - June 2004

At the 2nd annual Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival in 2004, Willie was back to play for his many fans. He loved coming to Orangeville and he would always say, "I'm not in Orangeville, tonight I'm in Bluesville!"  He appeared in the opening night gala at Babba Ganoush. Willie also rocked the Main Stage with fellow legends Richard Bell [Janis Joplin, The Band] and blues guitarist Mel Brown.
 
A few years ago in one of the biggest musical highlights of my life, I played a show with Willie & Bob Stroger at the Winchester Arms. It had never felt so thrilling to get to play with such amazing musicians. I mean,  Willie played with Little Walter, the greatest blues harp player of all time!

Willie led a full life doing what he loved right till the end. I'm so happy to have known him and called him my friend. I believe that now he's jamming once again with his old buddies Pinetop, Mel, Muddy and Walter... up in heaven.  ~  Larry Kurtz 

Orangeville Blues and Jazz co-founder and Jazz Saxophonist was recently named Arts Educator of the Year at the Town of Orangeville's 2nd Mayor's Breakfast for the Arts.

Anthony Gomes

The next Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival may be almost eight months away, it doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of opportunities to enjoy exceptional live blues and jazz music in the Orangeville area.

Here is a listing of some great upcoming live performances:

• October 22nd - Larry Kurtz @ Fionn MacCool's
• November 4th - Brian Blain @ Hockley Valley Resort
• November 9th - Anthony Gomes @ TJ's Hangar
  ($15 cover charge)
• November 11th - Trouble & Strife Duo @The Edge Wine Bar & Grille 

You are also invited to visit the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival's Facebook Profile page to stay up to date with the latest Festival-related news and events.

What album to recommend for the first installment of this new addition to The Groove? 

As option anxiety overcame me I thought to myself, "Well, what CD do you love listening to and talking about?"

The first that came to mind was a Paul Desmond album that was recorded in Toronto in October and November of 1975, "Paul Desmond Quartet Live". 

If you aren't already familiar with Paul Desmond's alto saxophone, the tune "Take Five" would likely remind you of his sound on one of the most recognizable jazz tunes ever recorded. 

This recording was made with Desmond's 'Canadian' Quartet; Ed Bickert on guitar, Jerry Fuller on drums, and Don Thompson on bass.  From beginning to its end, this recording imparts a certain feeling that is always a challenge to describe... the best I could come up with is "ease". 

As the guitar introduces Desmond's beautiful original "Wendy" you can feel how easy these musicians swing.  The alto effortlessly sings melody over Ed Bickert's rich underlayment.  In the original liner notes Desmond says he finds himself "turning around several times a night to count the strings on his guitar".  Ed's playing here is the epitome of taste and refinement in jazz. 

To quote Desmond again in reference to bassist Don Thompson, he remarks, "his solos are dependably unbelievable."  They are so well crafted you sometimes forget that it's a bass he's playing, and that there maybe should be some limitation to an instrument of its size - none are apparent in Don's playing.  I love his soloing on "Nancy". 

With Jerry Fuller's sensitive and swinging accompaniment on drums this quartet serves as a blueprint for the supportive interaction that is so highly sought after in jazz. 

So for a first listening recommendation I hope you can manage to separate some time to immerse yourself in a beautiful album, with some of the greatest Canadian musicians you'll ever hear.  ~ Ryan Grist 

The Getaway Resource.com ~ an Orangeville-based company that promotes leisure getaways and activities ~ is a proud and active supporter of The Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival.
 
As a special reward for subscribers to "The Groove" and fans/followers of the Festival's Facebook Profile, The Getaway Resource.com is pleased to make the following offer...
 
Enter their contest for a chance to WIN a Festive Overnight Getaway for Two (valued at $450) at Hockley Valley Resort.

Prize includes:

***NOTE***
The entries for those who indicate that they learned about this contest via the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival will automatically be counted as two (2) entries - thus doubling their chances of winning this fantastic prize.
 
Visit www.thegetawayresource.com/contest.php for details and to enter the draw.
 
Good luck to all who enter! 

If you are not already aware, the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival is on Facebook, and you are invited to join us and stay up to date with the latest photos, videos and upcoming events.

In the meantime, we would like to thank you for your interest in (and support of) our Festival.

Stay tuned for more...