LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
S.E. Willis and the Willing
S.E.Willis and the Willing is a group of lifetime working musicians, primarily blues based, but including Boogie Woogie, Country, Zydeco and New Orleans style R&B in a thoroughly American sound. Featuring Steve Willis (piano, harmonica, accordion, vocals), Ruth Davies (bass), Nancy Wright (sax), and Larry Vann (drums).
$25 General Admission
We are offering a limited number of tickets to attend this performance in person. Advance purchase is recommended. Masking is encouraged but no longer required.
S.E. WILLIS
S.E. (Steve) Willis is a multi-instrumentalist on piano, harmonica, accordion and vocals. He’s performed nationally and internationally and has released 9 CDs of classic and original music. He’s currently living in Arizona. Willis worked for 17 years in the Elvin Bishop Band and has played with blues greats such as Albert King, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Jimmy Rogers and more. This marks his first Bay Area performance since 2020. You can find more information and music at sewillis.net
RUTH DAVIES
Ruth Davies has been voted number 6 in a poll of the top 25 bassists ever from the Bay Area by the San Jose Mercury News. Ruth was recently featured on Taj Mahal’s Savoy recording. Her discography includes, besides Taj, recordings with John Lee Hooker, Elvin Bishop, S.E.Willis, and a number of albums with the great pianist Charles Brown. Ruth has performed with such jazz and blues greats as Keb' Mo', Charles Brown, Clark Terry, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Jay McShann, Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, Junior Mance, Barbara Morrison, Etta Jones, Terry Gibbs, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Little Jimmy Scott. ruthdavies.com
NANCY WRIGHT
Nancy Wright is the premiere blues saxophonist in the Bay Area. She has performed with Elvin Bishop, Commander Cody, Johnny Adams, Earl King, Joe Louis Walker, and Maria Muldaur. She recorded with B.B. King, Elvin Bishop, Joe Louis Walker, Little Charlie and the Nitecats, Mark Hummel and many others, and performed with top blues artists including Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Lowell Fulsom, Son Seals, and Ike Turner. nancywrightmusic.com
LARRY VANN
Drummer Larry Vann has toured and recorded with Elvin Bishop, Merl Saunders, the Whispers, Martha Reeves, Charles Brown, and many more. A truly inspirational Oakland musician who defines Bay Area drumming. larryvann.com