Bill King
This evening, the 50-year career of the Southern-bred pianist and bandleader Bill King is celebrated, with special guests such as the singer Jackie Richardson and the reggae icon Jay Douglas on hand for an intimate concert that serves to acknowledge his achievements and help launch his latest CD, Gloryland, which features solo pieces tracing the sounds and landscape of the Old South. The musician and local jazz scene organizer recalls three of his favourite Toronto music moments.
- Jane Siberry at Massey Hall in the 1980s: "You think about it, in your lifetime, how many concerts affect you in such a way that you tear up – where you cry uncontrollably and you don't know why? As Jane Siberry played at Massey Hall, that happened to me. And as I looked around, across the aisles, other people were also in tears. It was the beauty of the whole thing, the moment, that had such a profound effect."
- A salute to pianist Oscar Peterson at the Royal York, 2001: "It was me, Oliver Jones, Joe Sealey, Renee Rosnes and two other pianists. Oscar was down front. I had studied with him when I was younger, and he was a hero of mine growing up. Now I'm sitting in front of him, with this concert grand and this great rhythm section. I had never been so scared. It never happens to me, but this time I felt absolutely weak. Even as I played, I was thinking to myself, 'just deal with it, it's a great night, just make it through it.' Afterward, I spoke to Renee and Joe. They had the same feeling. That's how big he was to us."
- Young Divas, at Downtown Jazz, 2006: "I had assembled 11 women from across the country to play in the tent at Nathan Phillips Square. But before the concert, I had a heart attack. After a few days in the hospital, I'm on the couch – I couldn't do anything. On the night of the concert I get a phone call. It's Shakura S'Aida, the wonderful blues artist. She's calling from the stage, and she says, 'Brother Bill, brother Bill, are you there? Well, we're all here and we're missing you and we all want you to be better.' Then she got the whole crowd to cheer, and just gave me a big moment. It was extraordinary."
A Night With Bill King: Celebrating 50 Years of Music happens Saturday, 8 p.m. $45. The Royal, 608 College St., anightwithbillking.com.
Brad Wheeler