Baby Face Willette

Roosevelt "Baby Face" Willette (September 11, 1933 – April 1, 1971) was an American hard bop and soul-jazz musician who played the Hammond organ.

Life and career He was born Roosevelt James Willett (no "e"), in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1933 according to researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc, though other sources state 1934 or 1937. According to the liner notes on his first Blue Note album, Grant’s First Stand, Willette was born in New Orleans.

His mother was a missionary who played the piano in the church where his father was a minister. As a result, his musical roots were in gospel. Willette became involved in music by playing the piano for various gospel groups, and accompanied his sisters Dorothy and Georgia, who toured and recorded as the Willett Sisters. He spent his early career travelling across the United States, Canada and Cuba, as pianist with the bands of King Kolax, Joe Houston, Johnny Otis and Big Jay McNeely, among others.

He made his first recording as Baby Face Willette ("Wake Up, Get Out" b/w "Cool Blues") in Los Angeles in 1952, but soon moved to Chicago and married in September 1955. Shortly thereafter he recorded four tracks for Vee-Jay Records, from which "Can't Keep From Lovin' You" and "Why" were released as a single in February 1956. The first was named in honor of the Moroccan Village, where the trio that made this album had been performing since the previous autumn. Later, he regularly played piano and organ at a neighborhood lounge on the west side of Chicago, the Squeeze Club on 16th and Homan.

After some time in California, failing health forced a return to Chicago, where his family resided. He died in 1971, from bronchial pneumonia.

Discography

As leader Face to Face (Blue Note, 1961) Stop and Listen (Blue Note, 1961) Mo' Rock (Argo, 1964) Behind the 8 Ball (Argo, 1964 [rel. 1965])

As sideman Lou Donaldson - Here 'Tis (Blue Note, 1961) Grant Green - Grant's First Stand (Blue Note, 1961)