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Willie Akins

Willie Akins began playing music on a simple recorder-type instrument. Before long he was playing the saxophone. Attracted by the music opportunities and challenges of New York City, Willie Akins moved to that city in 1957. He was there for eleven years and returned to St. Louis, shortly after his father’s death. Since then, Akins has worked to raise the standard of jazz musicianship in St. Louis. He and his Willie Akins Quartet perform regularly at Spruill’s nightclub in St. Louis. In 1998 Akins and the quartet released their first music compact disc entitled, “Alima” (Catalyst Productions). Quartet members also featured on the CD are Willem von Hombracht (bass), Montez Coleman (drums), and Simon Rowe (piano).


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148
Album Review

Willie Akins: Alima

Read "Alima" reviewed by Dave Nathan


A well kept secret for over 40 years, Willie Akins cut his jazz teeth in New York playing with such jazz giants as Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane at Mintons and Small's Paradise. Working out of St. Louis for the last several years, the Catalyst label has given Mr. Akins his first crack at an album of his own and he takes full advantage of it. The lessons learned during his 40 years are evident as he and his regular ...

167
Album Review

Willie Akins Quartet: Alima

Read "Alima" reviewed by Mike Neely


Saxophonist Willie Akins and his quartet play straight ahead jazz with plenty of heart. Their Alima is a satisfying performance by a group of musicians who display a chemistry that could only arise out of the mutual respect of attentive listening.

Akins plays a warm tenor, at times reminiscent of Hank Mobley and early John Coltrane. Drummer Montez Coleman is a shaker and mover in this band, his playing sometimes taking the form of an upbeat dialog with Akins. He ...

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Festival

Jazz this week: Poncho Sanchez; Cooper-Moore, Abrams & Drake; Glendale Jazz Festival; Willie Akins Jazz Festival; and more

Jazz this week: Poncho Sanchez; Cooper-Moore, Abrams & Drake; Glendale Jazz Festival; Willie Akins Jazz Festival; and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The busy Memorial Day weekend schedule of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes the return of a leading light of Latin jazz; an all-star assembly of creative improvisors; a benefit raising funds for scholarships in the name of the late St. Louis saxophonist Willie Akins, and more. Let's go the highlights.... Wednesday, May 23 Percussionist Poncho Sanchez and his band, who are pretty much the gold standard these days for small combo Latin jazz, perform for the ...

Obituary

Willie Akins 1939 - 2015

Willie Akins 1939 - 2015

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Friends and musical colleagues of Willie Akins reported Friday night on social media that the veteran saxophonist has died. He was 76, and had battled heart disease for more than a decade. A native of Webster Groves, Akins gained early experience with local bands including Eddie Randle's Blue Devils and a group led by his music teacher, bassist Walter Latham. After graduating from Douglass High School, he moved to New York City in May, 1957 to try to make it ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Dave King Trucking Company, Gateway Jazz Festival, a benefit for Willie Akins, Dave Easley, and more

Jazz this week: Dave King Trucking Company, Gateway Jazz Festival, a benefit for Willie Akins, Dave Easley, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Though it's still before Labor Day, the fall presenting season would seem to be already getting underway this week, with several noteworthy touring musicians visiting St. Louis, plus the customary variety of jazz and creative music from local performers. Let's go to the highlights... Thursday, September 3 Erin Bode concludes her two-night engagement singing standards at Jazz at the Bistro, and guitarist Dave Black and friends will perform at Nathalie's. Friday, September 4 The Dave King Trucking Company will make ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Terence Blanchard, Willie Akins and Montez Coleman, Chesterfield Jazz Festival, Voicehandler, and More

Jazz This Week: Terence Blanchard, Willie Akins and Montez Coleman, Chesterfield Jazz Festival, Voicehandler, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Though it's not officially summer for another week or so, the steamy weather associated with that season in St. Louis is already here. Fortunately, there's a variety of jazz and creative music events on tap over the next few days, both indoors and out, to help you cool out and beat the heat. Tonight, trumpeter, composer and New Orleans native Terence Blanchard continues his time in the local spotlight, as he and his quintet will play their second free outdoor ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Dan White Sextet, Willie Akins-Montez Coleman Quartet, Freddie Washington's Coltrane Tribute, and More

Jazz This Week: Dan White Sextet, Willie Akins-Montez Coleman Quartet, Freddie Washington's Coltrane Tribute, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's menu of noteworthy jazz and creative music shows around St. Louis includes headlining appearances by two longtime local favorite tenor saxophonists, as well as the local debut of an up-and-coming touring band. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, the Dan White Sextet from Columbus, Ohio will be in St. Louis for the first time to perform at Robbie's House of Jazz. Their debut release, New York Sessions, features a tight ensemble sound and some interesting solos in service ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: A Benefit for Willie Akins, a Grand Opening for a New Venue, and More

Jazz This Week: A Benefit for Willie Akins, a Grand Opening for a New Venue, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

As seems to be the case every year, the Labor Day weekend means that the jazz and creative music calendar in St. Louis is a bit sparse for the next few days. However, there still are a few noteworthy events happening, so let's go the highlights: Tonight, guitarist and St. Louis native Daryl Darden is back home from the West Coast for a visit, and is playing at Robbie's House of Jazz with a group that will include pianist Nick ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Rebirth Brass Band, Ronnie Burrage, Willie Akins, and More

Jazz This Week: Rebirth Brass Band, Ronnie Burrage, Willie Akins, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Like most of the rest of the midsection of the USA, St. Louis is mired in some truly nasty summer weather this week, but there are several jazz and creative music performances coming up in the next few days that should be worth braving the inferno-like conditions. Here's what's happening: Tonight, guitarist Brian Vaccaro will lead a trio in a free concert for the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University, and saxophonist Tim Cunningham plays a free outdoor concert ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jazz Attack, Greg Osby with Willie Akins, Wee Trio, Gutbucket, Niu Jazz Ensemble with Benny Golson, and More

Jazz This Week: Jazz Attack, Greg Osby with Willie Akins, Wee Trio, Gutbucket, Niu Jazz Ensemble with Benny Golson, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

It's the beginning of a couple of busy weeks for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with plenty of competition for the time, attention and dollars of music fans from a number of touring musicians as well as local acts. In particular, this weekend's lineup features several stellar saxophonists playing in a variety of musical contexts, from smooth jazz and R&B to post-bop to big band. Let's go to the highlights:Tonight, the 2009 edition of the popular ...

150

Music Industry

Saxophonist Osby teams up with jazz legend Willie Akins

Saxophonist Osby teams up with jazz legend Willie Akins

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Alto saxophonist Greg Osby is among the foremost jazz artists of his generation. His albums for the esteemed Blue Note label, including “Art Forum" (1996), “Banned in New York" (1998) and “Channel Three" (2005), set a standard for improvisational risk-taking. Osby's popularity is international, and his eye for talent is admirable: Acclaimed pianist Jason Moran first got noticed as a member of his band. But Osby, a St. Louis native, remains in awe of his role model: tenor saxophonist and ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz and Blues Vespers Series Schedules Concerts by Willie Akins, Ptah Williams, Steve Schenkel and Ashley Mason

Jazz and Blues Vespers Series Schedules Concerts by Willie Akins, Ptah Williams, Steve Schenkel and Ashley Mason

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

St. Louis Jazz and Blues Vespers has scheduled the artists for the final three concerts in the current series, with saxophonist Willie Akins set to perform at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 15 at Second Baptist Church, 9030 Clayton Rd. Pianist Ptah Williams will perform on Sunday, March 14, and guitarist Steve Schenkel and singer Ashley Mason will wrap up the series with a concert on Sunday, April 19. The St. Louis Jazz and Blues Vespers concerts are free ...

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Catalyst Productions
2000

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