POP / SNEAK PEEK : ULCER BLAMED FOR DEATH OF BLUES HARP VIRTUOSO.Another blues great is gone. Harmonica harmonica. 1 The simplest of the musical instruments employing free reeds, known also as the mouth organ or French harp. It was probably invented in 1829 by Friedrich Buschmann of Berlin, who called his instrument the Mundäoline. virtuoso William Clarke, who went from blue-collar machinist to international blues star, died Sunday in Fresno from complications of a bleeding ulcer. Clarke, 45, had just completed a six-week national tour in support of his ninth solo album, ``The Hard Way'' (Alligator). When off the road, he gave private lessons in blues harp. Born in Inglewood, Clarke was introduced to the blues through cover tunes found on early Rolling Stones albums. By age 17, he was hanging out at Watts nightspots, watching such legends as T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton Connie Curtis Crayton (b 18 December, 1914, Rockdale, Texas – d 25 June, 1985, Los Angeles), known as Pee Wee Crayton, was an American R&B guitarist and singer. and Big Mama Thornton in action. Clarke, a master of both cross and chromatic harps, was the protege of George ``Harmonica'' Smith, a sideman side·man n. A member of a jazz band who is not the leader or a featured soloist. for Muddy Waters, among others. Clarke and Smith worked together from 1977 until Smith's death in 1983. Along with harp greats Big Walter Horton Big Walter Horton or Walter "Shakey" Horton (April 6, 1917– December 8, 1981) was an American blues harmonica player. Born Walter Horton in Horn Lake, Mississippi, he was playing a harmonica by the time he was five years old. , James Cotton and Sonny Boy Williamson Sonny Boy Williamson may refer to either of two 20th-century American blues harmonica players:
``This had a huge influence on my playing,'' Clarke once said. ``For my style, I incorporated the hard-core attitude and tone of the classic Chicago harmonica players along with the swinging and highly rhythmic grooves of the organ trios, and to this I add my style and ideas and you have the William Clarke sound.'' Clarke, a Torrance resident, is survived by his wife, Jeannette, a son, Willie, and a daughter, Gina. Thousand Oaks blues: Guitarist Phillip Walker and chanteuse chan·teuse n. A woman singer, especially a nightclub singer. [French, feminine of chanteur, singer, from chanter, to sing; see chant.] Barbara Morrison team up for an afternoon of blues Sunday at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is a performing arts and administrative center located in Thousand Oaks, California. It was built in 1994 on the former site of "Jungleland" at a cost of $63.8 million. . Walker, who spends much of his time touring Europe, has played professionally for four decades and includes stints with Little Richard and Clifton Chenier on his resume. Walker will appear with his big band, which features musicians from the groups of Taj Mahal, Ray Charles and Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner (born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr., May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985)[1] was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. . Morrison has traveled the last few years with the Ray Charles Orchestra as the opening act. She has also recorded with Dr. John and Jimmy Smith. Opening the show will be boogie-woogie pianist-singer Rob Rio, whose specialty is jump blues of the '40s and '50s. The Civic Arts Plaza is at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Show time is 3 p.m.; tickets are $20. Information: (805) 449-2787. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: CLARKE |
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