After winning five W.C. Handy Awards, recording nine solo albums, appearing on countless blues magazine covers, and earning many other honors, West Side Chicagoan Willie Kent could easily slow down and rest on his laurels. Not a chance!
Never one to shy away from hard work, the bassist, bandleader, singer and songwriter outdoes himself on his first CD of the new millennium, which features several “firsts.” Comin' Alive! is Willie’s first self produced CD (with partners Twist Turner and Haguy F. King). It’s also his debut on Blue Chicago Records as the label's first solo artist, a fitting honor for this highly respected, multi-talented musician who has been a mainstay at Blue Chicago’s nightclubs since 1985…

Kent’s blend of traditional Delta and classic ’50s Chicago blues stylings have made him a very in-demand performer in Chicago and all over the world. His highly emotive, unrestrained vocals are reminiscent of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. Long Way To Ol’ Miss contains eight Willie Kent originals and two originals by guest guitarist James Wheeler, while a “new kid on the block” is guitarist Chico Banks, who will make you take notice.

Blues bassist Willie Kent has strong, supple bottom lines that have supported all the best groups, but he's led his own band as well. This is his fourth Delmark date, and Kent heartily asserts himself as a singer, with a tone like Johnny Adams with a rougher edge. His equally excellent band features lead guitarists Bill Flynn and Jake Dawson alternating tracks, with rhythm guitarist Willie Davis, pianist Kenny Barker, and drummer James Carter. Baritone saxophonist/arranger Willie Henderson from the old Tyrone Davis band leads a three-piece horn section on three tracks. This 13-song program - ten written by Kent - comprises mostly classic 12-bar, IV-V-I blues changes. A hard-swinging "3-6-9," with Dawson's swift guitar and Baker's boogie piano, supports a bitch session for Kent…