001.1992.011

Sun Apr 26 1992

48:03 - DAT Master, WAV and Mp3 on Server and Cloud

00:01 Allison Minor introduces Willie Tee and Earl Turbinton as talented contemp Jazz musicians. They talk about their childhood in the Calliope niehborhood. Turbington talks about growing up by The Blue Eagle which hosted legendary Blues & Jazz acts. Turbington talks about seeing Louis Armstrong on his street meeting his girlfriend. Tee talks about the musical influence of the Mardi Gras Indians. They talk about family. Turbington talks about their father playing the trombone and how encouraging he was to them as young artists. 04:45 Turbington & Tee talk about the schools that they went to. They bring up past teachers Clyde Kerr and Alvin Batiste. Tee discusses imitation of popular rock & roll musicians of the time. His jazz influences came from Turbington’s music collection. Turbington has his first band around 1956. Turbington talks about Solomon Spencer – they guy who spent the most time with them when they were young. They talk about playing many gigs at a young age. 08:40 Miner discusses early recordings of Turbington’s. Turbington worked on many sessions produced by Allen Toussaint. Miner plays “Teasing You” (1965) and “Thank You John”. Earl King wrote “Teasing You” and Turbington wrote “Thank You John”. 13:50 They discuss the controversial nature of “Thank You John.” George Davis, Earl, Melvin Lastie were all on the record. Smokey Johnson played drums and George French played bass. The discuss The Jazz Workshop on Decatur Street in New Orleans. Tee says that it was Turbington’s idea. Turbington founded the Workshop for the educational value of it. Talks about working with children. NOCCA was also born of this experiment. Workshop was dedicated to John Coltrane. They discuss Cannonball Adderley. 19:40 Tee & Turbington were both instrumental in starting the Jazz & Heritage Festival. Turbington was asked to serve as president of the board, but declined. They discuss Felipe Rualt from Barclay records. They also discuss collaborating with The Wild Magnolias. They play “Smoke My Peacepipe” and “They Call Us Wild. “ 27:00 Tee did a record on his own while Turbington was touring with BB King. He toured with him for three years. They play “Anticipation” and “The Moment of Truth”. 30:50 Tee talks about having the freedom to write all of the material – and this album was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it on” album. It was recorded at Studio in the Country at Bogalusa. 35:00 Tee discuses learning about publishing music and dealing with the record companies. Miner wants to talk about Turbington’s independent recordings. Miner plays a song “Neferdoris” from their “Brothers for Life” album. “Neferdoris” is based on Nefertiti and a girl that Tee liked, Doris. 42:45 1991 review of Musician Magazine called Willie T New Orleans’ best kept secret. Miner asks what their goals for the next 30 years? Turbington wants to improve his life through more music – Music is the second highest consciousness. Tee talks about how fortunate they are to not have to work in anything other than music. They make a connection between religion and music – “the lost word” and playing music is speaking to God in his native language. Questions from the audience. The interview concludes.

Wilson Turbinton and Earl Turbinton. Allison Miner interviewer.

sound recording

Copyrights are retained by the participants.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive