Labor Day Concert
Willie Pickens, pianist
Sunday, September 6, 2009
5:00 pm
"Sacred Music in a Jazz Setting"
A concert of hymns, spirituals and other sacred classics performed by one of Chicago's greatest jazz artists.
Veteran Chicago pianist Willie Pickens began his professional career with Eddie Harris when they recorded Exodus to Jazz and etched a message for several generations to remember. Since then, he has worked with Clark Terry, Elvin Jones, Louie Bellson, and has issued several albums of his own.
Recent and upcoming performances also include the Jazz Showcase, the Green Mill, Millenium Park Pritzker Theater with Donald Harrison, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Jazz Festival with Archie Shepp.
Pickens has a conservative piano style that also includes powerful flourishes and complex harmonies for emphasis.
His most recent project is called Jazz Spirit, a two volume set of well-known sacred hymns and songs reconceived for the jazz idiom, such as Fairest Lord Jesus, Down By the Riverside and My God Is So High.
www.williepickensjazz.com
I was here. It was last night at Moody Bible Church, downtown Chicago. I took all 3 girls and sat right in front so Charity could see him play. She was mesmerized for a good part of it...Then she got to meet him and he gave her a hug. Precious. lol
hopearenas 2 years ago