Willie Pickens (April 18, 1931 – December 12, 2017) was an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator.
Early life Pickens was born in Milwaukee on April 18, 1931. He studied piano formally from the age of 14. He attended Lincoln High School in Milwaukee with saxophonist Bunky Green. Pickens also studied at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
Later life and career Pickens joined the army in 1951. He obtained a B.S. in music education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1958 and moved to Chicago in the same year.
In the early 1960s, Pickens played on saxophonist Eddie Harris' first four recordings for Vee-Jay Records. His period with Harris lasted between 1960 and 1966. Pickens taught music at public schools from 1966 until 1990. He was also a faculty member of the American Conservatory of Music between 1971 and 1987.
Pickens recorded with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco in 1977, and drummer Louis Bellson in 1994. Pickens played in drummer Elvin Jones' band between 1990 and 1997, including internationally.
According to The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, "Pickens appeared regularly at international jazz festivals and performed at Chicago Jazz Festival almost yearly from its inception." In 1999, Pickens was part of the Chicago Jazz Festival's closing act with the Marian McPartland Trio, along with Judy Roberts and Jodie Christian. For jazz musicians in Chicago, Pickens has become "a revered mentor to younger players and a symbol of the music itself", in the words of a Chicago Tribune commentator. He also taught at Northern Illinois University's School of Music. Saxophonist Lou Donaldson once told Donald Harrison, "Willie Pickens is one of the last great bebop pianists."
Pickens died of a heart attack in Manhattan, New York, at the age of 86. His wife, Irma, died in 2015 after 55 years of marriage. A daughter, Bethany, also plays the piano professionally and has recorded with her father.
Discography An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1987It's About Time!SouthportTrio, with Dan Shapera (bass), Robert Shy (drums); reissued on CD with concert solo piano tracks from 1981 and 1986Gribetz, Sid (May 1999) "Willie Pickens – It's About Time!". JazzTimes.1998Jazz ChristmasSouthportQuartet, with Nicholas Payton (trumpet, flugelhorn), Larry Gray (bass), Robert Shy (drums)2000Ain't Misbehavin''' |Concord Jazz |Duo, with Marian McPartland (piano) |- |2005 |Mr Swing|Pony Canyon |Trio, with George Mraz (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); also released as Dark Eyes|- |2005 |Jazz Spirit, Volume 1|Southport |Some tracks solo piano; some tracks duo, with Bethany Pickens (piano); other tracks include Pat Mallinger (tenor sax, alto sax), Ari Brown (tenor sax), Tito Carril (flugelhorn), Marlene Rosenberg, Rob Amster, Larry Gray (bass; separately), Kobie Watkins, Robert Shy (drums; separately) |- |2005 |Jazz Spirit, Volume 2|Southport |As Jazz Spirit, Volume 1; differences are Pat Mallinger (alto sax), Tito Carrillo (trumpet, flugelhorn) |- |2010* |Just Like Me''SkiptoneDuo, with Milton Suggs (vocals)
As sideman Year recordedLeaderTitleLabel1961Exodus to JazzVee-Jay1961Mighty Like a RoseVee-Jay1961Jazz for "Breakfast at Tiffany's"Vee-Jay1961–62A Study in JazzVee-Jay1963For Bird and BagsExodus1966Playin' for KeepsCadet1977Gone with the WindStoryville1990sThe Song BirdDelmark1991In EuropeEnja1992Going HomeEnja1993It Don't Mean a ThingEnja1993Time to SmileDreyfus1994SaluteChiaroscuro1994The HaintDelmark1995Top and Bottom BrassChiaroscuro1997Cut It OutDelmark199875th Birthday CelebrationHalf Note1998Von & EdDelmark1999Talking HornsDelmark2014*ContinuationOrigin
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