Blind Willie's musical journey began at 9 years old, when he heard trumpeter Clyde McCoy play the "Sugar Blues" with his special 'wah wah' mute on the radio. From that moment on, he knew he wanted to play music.
The Multi-Instrumentalist transitioned from trumpet to saxophone at Central Methodist University, where he obtained a Bachelor's in Music Education Degree with certification in Instrumental and Vocal Music in 1973.
He went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching with certification in Special Education from Webster University in 1977 and a Master of Education in Counseling in 1986 from the University of Missouri - St.Louis.
Blind Willie has worked in Education for over 40 years. He taught Special Education to high school students for 30+ years, and most recently taught Elementary Band to middle school students for 10 years throughout St. Charles County.
Blind Willie hopes that one day his epitaph will read, "the heart of a trumpet player, the mind of a saxophone player."
Live performance of Blind Willie's original improvisation "WHITE NOISE PART II"
Accompaniment: Herbie Hancock 'Dis is da drum' (1994).
Film and Video Art Directed by: Anthony Nicolau. Sound design: Cara Dineen.
BORN TO HORN
Blind Willie's CD, BORN TO HORN (2011), features 11 original compositions. It can be purchased through Apple Music/Itunes, Amazon Music, and can be streamed on Spotify.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Blind Willie plays regularly throughout the St. Louis Area. Please always check with the venue to confirm show times!
BLUES:
• SKEET RODGERS AND THE INNER CITY BLUES BAND
JAZZ:
• BROADWAY COLLECTIVE -(Monthly at B.B.'s Jazz, Blues, and Soups)
• CLARION JAZZ BAND
DIXIELAND TRUMPET:
• REUNION JAZZ BAND (aka The Shingle Shakers)