Wil Blades

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 gaining 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.

Wil Blades: Field Notes

Read "Field Notes" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
December 11, 2014

It's good to know that no matter how many things change around us, there's still nothing that kicks out the jams like a good old school B-3 organ, guitar and drum trio. Wil Blades provides an excellent case study in groove. Throughout the past fifteen years, this B-3 bombardier has worked with blues and jazz greats both old school and new, such as Joe Louis Walker, Idris Muhammad, Melvin Sparks, Karl Denson, Billy Martin (Medeski Martin & Wood), ...

Interview

Wil Blades: Groooooovin'

by R.J. DeLuke
September 17, 2014

"I love the blues," says Wil Blades, a Hammond B3 whiz who didn't come to the instrument until he left his hometown of jny: Chicago and was going to college in California. He doesn't remember specific instances of being struck by a blues thunderbolt, but “I remember hearing it. It's part of the feeling I get when I play music." He started on drums at a young age and turned to guitar as a teenager--"I had those rock ...

Album Review

Wil Blades: Field Notes

Read "Field Notes" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
August 18, 2014

Keyboardist Wil Blades earned his pedigree playing with guitarist Will Bernard and percussionist Billy Martin and now ratchets up his leadership skills fronting a trio including guitarist Jeff Parker and drummer Simon Lott. Concentrating on Hammond B3 organ (using clavinet to leaven the textured sound of the group), Blades proves he has absorbed the lessons from masters of the hallowed instrument such as Jimmy Smith and happily carries them into the future. He the alternately fluid but funky ...

Recording

Wil Blades To Release "Field Notes" On Royal Potato Family

Source: Calabro Music
August 5, 2014

No less a jazz organ authority than the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith has called Wil Blades “the future," anointing him the heir apparent “to carry on the legend [and] the legacy of the organ, of the B-3." Blades shoulders that responsibility with nonchalant virtuosity and infectious groove on his forthcoming studio album, Field Notes, out August 19 from Royal Potato Family. The nine songs report back from the rich incubator that is the road, with pieces written from snippets recorded ...
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Recording

Billy Martin & Wil Blades To Release "Shimmy" May 22 on The Royal Potato Family

Source: Calabro Music
April 2, 2012

Billy Martin and Wil Blades wanna make you Shimmy. The organ/drums duo waste no time getting right down to it on their debut album due May 22 from The Royal Potato Family in collaboration with Martin's own Amulet Records. Martin and Blades go old school in the tradition of essential organ-groove sides by the likes of Charles Earland, Brother Jack McDuff and Groove Holmes. Martin, the drummer for the legendary Medeski, Martin & Wood, and Blades, a much buzzed about ...
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“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
Pioneer and Legend of the Hammond B-3 Organ

"That boy's cookin'! That boy's cookin'!"

—John Lee Hooker
Original Bluesman

"Wil Blades is already a legend on the Hammond B-3 organ...On his debut album, Sketchy, released in August on Doodlin' Records, Blades showcases a smooth, funky sound that recalls heroes like Jimmy Smith without being slavishly derivative. Apparently, Blades' time spent in combos with Scott Amendola, Wil Bernard, and Idris Muhammad has taught him well."
- SF Weekly

“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
Pioneer and Legend of the Hammond B-3 Organ

"That boy's cookin'! That boy's cookin'!"

—John Lee Hooker
Original Bluesman

"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

"...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

"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."

—Afrikahn Jamal Dayvs
Jazzline Radio and TV
KKUP 91.5FM , Santa Clara, CA

"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 has emerged in recent years as a highly resourceful Hammond B- 3 player looking to expand the possibilities of his instrument. He’s always worth a listen.”

-Jazzwest.com

“Blades’ able handling of the foot pedals and lefty bass lines frees his right hand to venture into some seriously groovy territory…when extensive exploration is warranted, Blades can dig in with confidence.”

-Mike E. Splain
Good Times Weekly, Santa Cruz

"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

“Wil Blades may be a younger player on the Hammond, but he hits the organ like a seasoned pro from the Soul Jazz years of the 60’s! Blades sound is clean and fluid, soaring with clean lines sometimes, hitting more skittish funky rhythms at others.”
-Dusty Groove

“Wil Blades has to be one of the most promising cats on the music scene today. His pulsating, hard groovin’ style on the Hammond B-3 is reminiscent of many great players, but with a flair that is distinctly his own.”
-Upcoming.org

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