The rotating cast:
Drummers - Idris Muhammad, Brandon Etzler, Tim Bulkley, Jeff Marrs, Gary Claude, Darrell Green, Ted Sirota
Guitarists - Melvin Sparks, Carl Lockett, Steve Burke, Khalil Doak-Anthony, Will Bernard, Peff Jarker(Slummin' Chi-town guitarist)
Horns - Don Braden, Joe Cohen, Dayna Stephens, Oscar Myers, Adam Theis
Influences
Organists: Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Shirley Scott, Wild Bill Davis, Larry Young, "Groove" Holmes, Billy Preston Others: Grant Green, Herbie Hancock, Idris Muhammad, Melvin Sparks, George Benson, Monk, Trane, Miles, Mingus, Bird, Gil Evans, Ahmad Jamal, Hendrix, Bjork, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, New Orleans Brass Bands, Sly, Stevie, Early Michael Jackson(Off The Wall, beeyatch!), G N' R, Metallica, Aphex Twin, the list gets longer and more eclectic...I'll stop there. Teachers: My middle school band director(Mr. Jones), My first guitar teacher(Bob), my college teacher(Herbie Lewis), the Dr.(Lonnie Smith), and every musician I've had the opportunity to play with(good or bad!).
Sounds Like
Old School Soul-Jazz, with reflections of modern life and single-malt scotch.
"Yeah, he does it...he's on it. He is the future to carry on the legend, the legacy of the organ, [of] the B-3."
--Dr. Lonnie Smith
"Wil is a hell of an organ player...I found myself admiring his strong sound, strong sense of swing, his idiomatic lines, his rock solid pedal work, his enjoyable tunes, his excellent horn charts and the way he touches the totem of the '60s jazz organ and groove groups."
--Ernie Rideout
Keyboard Magazine
"Here's a young Jazz Organist that every one should know about...Wil has so much goin' on with the Hammond B-3, it's hard to believe he's not fifty years old...His organ playing has leaped him into the ranks of greatness."
--Pete Fallico
Doodlin' Productions
KSUP 88.9FM , Santa Cruz, CA
www.doodlinlounge.com
"...and Wil Blades fingering a - yes! - Hammond B-3 organ. Blades keeps everything funky and jet-set cool, turning in consistently great lines and more than a few solid solos on the Hammond."
--Jim Nelson
All About Jazz.com
www.allaboutjazz.com
"This Young Lion has committed his talent to the Hammond B-3 organ...He knows what's what and delivers...He's happening and is very serious about his music."
-Afrikhan Jamal Day'vis
Jazzline Radio and TV
KKUP 91.5FM , Santa Clara, CA
"That boy's cookin'! That boy's cookin'!"
--John Lee Hooker
Original Bluesman
"The blues via Wil Blades and the Hammond B3 live on strong in the bay area. Wil's experience extends beyond his years as he takes you on a rare jazz organ journey that leaves you with that good clean feeling inside. Well at least that is the way I feel. I can't get enough. I've seen a few great organists and Wil stands with them. I appreciate him keeping this art form alive."
--Redhouse Jazz
"Wil Blades is the Old Soul of the band and as is often the case with old souls, the youngest member of the (Fil Lorenz) Soul-tet. His Organ playing on Stinky Stinky is uncannily authentic and fresh."
--Shad Harris
American Chronicle
From cookin’ with Blues legend John Lee Hooker, organ summits with
B-3 master Dr. Lonnie Smith, television and radio appearances, young Wil Blades is gain ing critical acclaim and international recognition. Blades, a native Chicagoan, has become the San Francisco Bay Area’s first call organist and is rapidly gaining momentum throughout the country. In 2007 and 2008, he was named in the Downbeat critics poll under “Rising Star” for organ. For the past several years, Wil has been wowing Bay Area audiences with groups such as “O.G.D.,” “Motherbug”, “Amendola Vs. Blades”, “Steppin’.” In addition to performing with legendary artists such as John Lee Hooker and Dr. Lonnie Smith, Wil has performed and recorded with Melvin Sparks, Idris Muhammad, Joe Louis Walker, Don Braden, Donald Harrison, Karl Denson, Will Bernard, Scott Amendola, Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, Betty Joplin, Eddie Marshall, Herbie Lewis, and many others.
Born in 1979, Wil began playing drums at the age of 8, guitar at 13, and then found his true calling on Hammond B-3 at 19. While studying Jazz at New College of California with Herbie Lewis, Wil landed weekly gigs at John Lee Hooker’s Boom Boom Room in San Francisco. Barely of legal age, veteran musicians, such as Oscar Myers, took him under their wings. Being self-taught on organ, the weekly gigs proved to be the best lessons of all. In the years since, Wil has received tutelage from Jazz Organ master, Dr. Lonnie Smith. “Yeah, he does it...he’s on it. He is the future to carry on the legend, the legacy of the organ, [of] the B-3.”
Wil has kept the traditional sounds of Jimmy Smith, Larry Young, and “Groove” Holmes alive, while creating a more personal, modern sound. In Wil’s words, “I feel indebted to the tradition and masters of the Hammond Organ, but while trying to keep it going, I’m also focused on bringing my contemporary influences to the table.” His playing is rhythmic, funky and bluesy, yet his original compositions are harmonically intriguing and unique.
Wil currently leads his own groups around the Bay Area and is dedicating his time to teaching the Hammond B-3 Organ privately and at the Jazzschool in Berkeley. Current musical collaborations include groups with guitarist Will Bernard, Jazz legend Idris Muhammad and a duo project with drummer Scott Amendola. Wil’s debut record, “Sketchy”, is now available on Doodlin’ Records.
Hey Will, seemed to loose you after lunch that day.. never did get my advil!!! haha.. was cool to see you guys, hopefully we'll get to play some more soon... hit me up if you pass through BCN. D :)
I'm looking forward to your parisian visit, dude! The day after your show at the Sunset I'm playing with an organ trio in the latin quarter...you'll have to come and jam with us.
Saw that you got more dates for the France tour in July...great! I'll be there to bug you and dig the sounds at the Sunset in paris. Catch you later...
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