Can you believe it? Willie Pickens is 80 and he is still playing like crazy! Nobody believes it, but it's true... Willie is turning 80 this month and Chicago has some very special events planned for him.
Willie has been a working pianist on the scene in Chicago and around the world for the past 60 years. He has worked with great band leaders including Elvin Jones, Eddie Harris, Bunkie Green, Quincy Jones, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson and Red Holoway just to name a few. And he has been a great teacher and guide for many musicians in the Chicago area.
On Friday April 15th at 8 pm you can see The Willie Pickens trio with daughter Bethany Pickens at the Hyde Park Union Church—Concert Tickets: $30 -birthday reception: $10 Concert proceeds will be shared by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club & The Accessibility Project of the Hyde Park Union Church
On the actual date of his birth, Monday April 18th, Willie will be playing at the Jazz Showcase with Paulinho Garcia, Solitaire Miles, Marlene Rosenberg and Robert Shy and there will be a CAKE for everyone! 8 pm 806 Plymouth Ct. Chicago
There will also be a BIG PARTY for Willie & Ira Sullivan who are both turning 80 this month at the Jazz Showcase on the weekend of May 11 -15 with Larry Gray, Ernie Adams and many more!
Please join is in celebrating a great player and wonderful human being.
“Chicago's own Willie Pickens is a true phenomenon.... a truly humble, kind, honest and spiritual person with incredible talent, we here in Chicago are fortunate to have a beautiful soul such as Willie Pickens to appreciate. “ —Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net
Willie has been a working pianist on the scene in Chicago and around the world for the past 60 years. He has worked with great band leaders including Elvin Jones, Eddie Harris, Bunkie Green, Quincy Jones, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson and Red Holoway just to name a few. And he has been a great teacher and guide for many musicians in the Chicago area.
On Friday April 15th at 8 pm you can see The Willie Pickens trio with daughter Bethany Pickens at the Hyde Park Union Church—Concert Tickets: $30 -birthday reception: $10 Concert proceeds will be shared by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club & The Accessibility Project of the Hyde Park Union Church
On the actual date of his birth, Monday April 18th, Willie will be playing at the Jazz Showcase with Paulinho Garcia, Solitaire Miles, Marlene Rosenberg and Robert Shy and there will be a CAKE for everyone! 8 pm 806 Plymouth Ct. Chicago
There will also be a BIG PARTY for Willie & Ira Sullivan who are both turning 80 this month at the Jazz Showcase on the weekend of May 11 -15 with Larry Gray, Ernie Adams and many more!
Please join is in celebrating a great player and wonderful human being.
“Chicago's own Willie Pickens is a true phenomenon.... a truly humble, kind, honest and spiritual person with incredible talent, we here in Chicago are fortunate to have a beautiful soul such as Willie Pickens to appreciate. “ —Brad Walseth, JazzChicago.net
