Willie Kent

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Willie Kent (September 24(Correction: born February 24th see Social Security index) 1936 – March 2, 2006[1]) was an American blues singer, bassist and songwriter. He was born in Inverness, Sunflower County, Mississippi.

Contents

[edit] Career

Although he had been playing the bass guitar in Chicago's clubs since the 1950s, Kent did not put his music first until he was past the age of 50.[2] Following heart surgery, he quit his day job driving trucks, and formed a band.[2] His impassioned singing and overall feel of his music are reminiscent of Byther Smith or John Primer.[2]

In early 2005, Kent was diagnosed with cancer, but continued his busy live schedule in spite of chemotherapy treatments. He lost his battle with the disease in March 2006.[3]

[edit] Discography

  • 1975 - Ghetto (Storyville Records)
  • 1989 - I'm What You Need (Big Boy Records)
  • 1991 - Ain't It Nice (Delmark Records)
  • 1991 - King of Chicago's West Side Blues (Wolf Records)
  • 1993 - Live at B.L.U.E.S. in Chicago (Wolf Records)
  • 1994 - Too Hurt to Cry (Delmark Records)
  • 1996 - Long Way to Ol' Miss (Delmark Records)
  • 1998 - Everybody Needs Somebody (Wolf Records)
  • 1998 - Make Room for the Blues (Delmark Records)
  • 1998 - Who's Been Talking with Lil Ed Williams (Earwig Music Company)
  • 2001 - Comin' Alive! (Blue Chicago Records)
  • 2004 - Blues and Trouble (Isabel Records)

[edit] Awards and Honors

  • 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 from Living Blues magazine (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)
  • Readers' Choice: Album of the Year 2001 from Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin' Alive
  • Critics' Choice: Album of the Year 2001 from Soul Bag magazine, France, for Comin’ Alive
  • France Blues Award: Best Blues Musician, Bass for the years 2002, 2003
  • Chicago's Album of the Year 1998: for Make Room for the Blues
  • Library of Congress' Best Blues Recording of the Year 1991: for Ain't It Nice

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Times Online - Willie Kent obituary, dated 5 April 2006
  2. ^ a b c Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited, p. 130. ISBN 1-85868-255-X. 
  3. ^ All Music Guide biography - accessed January 2008