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Re: Willie Metcalf Jr., 74 - pianist, jazz mentor (appears in "Ray")
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reddia...@gmail.com
Aug 15, 2013, 4:31:34 AM8/15/13
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On Monday, December 13, 2004 7:22:28 AM UTC-8, Louisiana Lou wrote:
> METCALF JR., WILLIE
> Willie Metcalf Jr., 74, pianist, jazz mentor
>
> Saturday, December 11, 2004
> By Keith Spera
> Music writer
> http://www.nola.com/obituaries/t-p/index.ssf?/base/obits-24/1102750082191670.xml
>
> Willie Metcalf Jr., a pianist, educator and actor whose cultural
> activism enriched the local jazz scene for nearly 30 years, died
> Thursday of cancer. He was 74.
>
> In the movie "Ray," Mr. Metcalf appears in several scenes as the young
> Ray Charles' piano mentor. The role was not a stretch: In real life, Mr.
> Metcalf tutored Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison Jr.
> and other future jazz stars.
>
> "He took me under his wing, like he did for many musicians and artists
> in this city," jazz vocalist Samirah Evans said. "He taught me the birds
> and bees of music. And with his community outreach, he used his talent
> to touch the lives of many people, especially youth."
>
> Mr. Metcalf was born in Detroit, where he began playing piano at age 3.
> As a young man, he performed with the Motown Revue and jazz saxophonist
> Sonny Stitt. A battle with drug addiction then sidelined Mr. Metcalf's
> career.
>
> After breaking his addiction, he resolved to help others avoid the same
> pitfalls. In 1972 he established the Academy of Black Arts, a program
> designed to instill cultural values and provide positive role models for
> Detroit's inner-city youth.
>
> He administered the program while teaching at Michigan's Wayne State
> University. He conducted free seminars in prisons, senior citizens
> homes, hospitals, drug rehab centers and schools.
>
> In 1975, Mr. Metcalf moved to New Orleans and brought the Academy of
> Black Arts with him. He led youth camps and music, chess and dance
> workshops, even as he maintained a busy performance schedule.
>
> His brand of modern jazz piano drew on many sources. Like the New
> Orleans pianist James Booker, he incorporated elements of blues,
> classical and pop music.
>
> Mr. Metcalf organized concerts honoring Duke Ellington and other
> composers. He led jazz combos at Joe's Cozy Corner, the Funky Butt, Snug
> Harbor and other clubs, and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
> The New Orleans Jazz Historical Park Visitors Center often featured his
> band.
>
> He was the subject of the documentary film "Getting It Together: The
> Willie Metcalf Story." Named for one of his best-known compositions, it
> screened at the 1999 New Orleans Film and Video Festival.
>
> Mr. Metcalf also moonlighted as an actor. In 1999, he portrayed a piano
> player named Toledo in a theatrical production of "Ma Rainey's Black
> Bottom" at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. More recently, he appeared
> in "Ray" and in a Subway commercial alongside local twins Herman and
> Sherman Smith, playing the character "Uncle Ernest."
>
> Through his various endeavors, Mr. Metcalf maintained a focus on helping
> the next generation become better musicians and citizens. A practicing
> Buddhist, he believed in the concept of encouraging peace through
> cultural diversity and education. At Jazzfest, he recruited young
> musicians from various backgrounds to perform with his band.
>
> "He called the performances his 'world peace organization,' " Evans
> said. "He'd give them the opportunity to express themselves in front of
> a large audience. It was a beautiful thing to see."
>
> Survivors include a brother, Johnny Metcalf; a sister, Irma Metcalf;
> three sons, Sharif and Stanley Metcalf and Willie Metcalf III; and a
> daughter, Melvina Dotson.
>
> A funeral will be held Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at SGI Buddhist Community
> Center, 1331 Prytania St., New Orleans.
Hi I'm Willie's step son the one who has his old music anyone care
> METCALF JR., WILLIE
> Willie Metcalf Jr., 74, pianist, jazz mentor
>
> Saturday, December 11, 2004
> By Keith Spera
> Music writer
> http://www.nola.com/obituaries/t-p/index.ssf?/base/obits-24/1102750082191670.xml
>
> Willie Metcalf Jr., a pianist, educator and actor whose cultural
> activism enriched the local jazz scene for nearly 30 years, died
> Thursday of cancer. He was 74.
>
> In the movie "Ray," Mr. Metcalf appears in several scenes as the young
> Ray Charles' piano mentor. The role was not a stretch: In real life, Mr.
> Metcalf tutored Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison Jr.
> and other future jazz stars.
>
> "He took me under his wing, like he did for many musicians and artists
> in this city," jazz vocalist Samirah Evans said. "He taught me the birds
> and bees of music. And with his community outreach, he used his talent
> to touch the lives of many people, especially youth."
>
> Mr. Metcalf was born in Detroit, where he began playing piano at age 3.
> As a young man, he performed with the Motown Revue and jazz saxophonist
> Sonny Stitt. A battle with drug addiction then sidelined Mr. Metcalf's
> career.
>
> After breaking his addiction, he resolved to help others avoid the same
> pitfalls. In 1972 he established the Academy of Black Arts, a program
> designed to instill cultural values and provide positive role models for
> Detroit's inner-city youth.
>
> He administered the program while teaching at Michigan's Wayne State
> University. He conducted free seminars in prisons, senior citizens
> homes, hospitals, drug rehab centers and schools.
>
> In 1975, Mr. Metcalf moved to New Orleans and brought the Academy of
> Black Arts with him. He led youth camps and music, chess and dance
> workshops, even as he maintained a busy performance schedule.
>
> His brand of modern jazz piano drew on many sources. Like the New
> Orleans pianist James Booker, he incorporated elements of blues,
> classical and pop music.
>
> Mr. Metcalf organized concerts honoring Duke Ellington and other
> composers. He led jazz combos at Joe's Cozy Corner, the Funky Butt, Snug
> Harbor and other clubs, and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
> The New Orleans Jazz Historical Park Visitors Center often featured his
> band.
>
> He was the subject of the documentary film "Getting It Together: The
> Willie Metcalf Story." Named for one of his best-known compositions, it
> screened at the 1999 New Orleans Film and Video Festival.
>
> Mr. Metcalf also moonlighted as an actor. In 1999, he portrayed a piano
> player named Toledo in a theatrical production of "Ma Rainey's Black
> Bottom" at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. More recently, he appeared
> in "Ray" and in a Subway commercial alongside local twins Herman and
> Sherman Smith, playing the character "Uncle Ernest."
>
> Through his various endeavors, Mr. Metcalf maintained a focus on helping
> the next generation become better musicians and citizens. A practicing
> Buddhist, he believed in the concept of encouraging peace through
> cultural diversity and education. At Jazzfest, he recruited young
> musicians from various backgrounds to perform with his band.
>
> "He called the performances his 'world peace organization,' " Evans
> said. "He'd give them the opportunity to express themselves in front of
> a large audience. It was a beautiful thing to see."
>
> Survivors include a brother, Johnny Metcalf; a sister, Irma Metcalf;
> three sons, Sharif and Stanley Metcalf and Willie Metcalf III; and a
> daughter, Melvina Dotson.
>
> A funeral will be held Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at SGI Buddhist Community
> Center, 1331 Prytania St., New Orleans.
Hi I'm Willie's step son the one who has his old music anyone care
xman...@gmail.com
Feb 11, 2014, 5:59:01 PM2/11/14
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Hey, I'm just reading this.. This is his son from n.o. Where you at though??
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jiml...@yahoo.com
Nov 8, 2017, 12:17:27 AM11/8/17
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Willie was my practice piano man made his first recording in 1945 age 15 The day before I left for Army world war two Willie playing piano I played tenor saxophone
Side 1 body and soul and flying home on the other side
Master was glass in those days upon returning home from World War II I was told that someone sat on it and broke it
Junior Lathon my playing handle
Side 1 body and soul and flying home on the other side
Master was glass in those days upon returning home from World War II I was told that someone sat on it and broke it
Junior Lathon my playing handle
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