“A good song is defined by the story it tells through its lyrics or an unforgettable musical movement such as spoken in Miles Davis’ “So What” or Oliver Nelson’s “Stolen Moments.”
Willie E. Atkinson, Jazz/Blues vocalist, composer, lyricist is an extraordinary entertainer who brings his audience along with him on a warm musical journey. Whether exploring the syncopated rhythms of Rodgers/Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things” or telling the story of a lonesome, wanting heart in Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight”, Willie’s fluid melodious interpretation of these jazz standards make his show unique.
His distinctive vocal styling is captured on his first CD release “Willie E. Atkinson – Live In Oriental, NC.”
Willie E. Atkinson was born in the northern region of Johnston County, NC where he became a student of his kinfolk’s musical voice, a music that would become known as the Piedmont Blues. He recalls his Grandmother teaching him how to tell the story of a song without losing the beat “…Just hold your head high, sing it like you mean it and pat your feet.”
Over the years, he has taken her advice with him, cultivated his love of music by also writing, composing and promoting jazz and blues as an art form through his and wife Jacqueline’s business WEJA (Willie E. Jacqueline Atkinson) Enterprises Artistic Productions.
While residing in Northern California, Willie brought his smooth sound onto the stage of many festivals, clubs, art theaters and artistic venues. Some of which included the Third and Fourth Annual Cotati Jazz Festival, Cotati, Ca.; the Harvest Jazz Festival, Rutherford Square Theatre, Rutherford, Ca.; the celebrated Yoshi’s Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, Oakland, Ca; Erle’s Solano Club, Albany, Ca.; the Vacaville Performing Arts Theater, Vacaville, Ca. as well as the prestigious Opera House, Vacaville, Ca.
The Vacaville Performing Arts Theater provided the opportunity for Willie to perform as an opening act for the phenomenal saxophonist John Handy, the great jazz/blues organist Jimmy Smith and the late jazz/blues pianist Gene Harris.
In North Carolina, Willie’s appearance at the 3rd Annual New Bern Jazz & Blues Festival, October 28, 2006 in New Bern, NC featured the well received debut of his original composition “Loving You (Jacqueline’s Song).” Willie and the swinging Transitional Jazz Quartet ended their set with a standing ovation from the audience.
Photo credit: John B. Steady
Discography
“Willie E. Atkinson Live In Oriental, NC”, Recorded in 1998 Songs: Just In Time, Round Midnight, I Could Write A Book, All Blues, The Days Of Wine And Roses, Misty, The Nearness Of You, Summertime, I’m Glad There Is You, Wade In The Water, The Very Thought Of You, Soon, I Wish You Love
Musicians: Yusef Salim, Piano; Scott Sawyer, Guitar; Freeman Ledbetter, Bass; Michael Hanson, Percussions; Bobby Johnson, Drums; Ray Codrington, Trumpet; Reggie Codrington, Soprano Sax; Mitch Butler, Trombone
Produced by WEJA Enterprises Artistic Productions Artwork on CD: Jerry Fox