Earl Watkins

Earl Watkins was a major influence on everyone around him. His wisdom helped guide me though I only saw him a few times a year. As one of his great grandsons I will remember him for the rest of my life. He taught me to appreciate good music and inspired me to write some of my own. My great grandfather will remain a legend in my eyes and legends live forever.

I had met Mr. Watkins on several occasions while either my performing or my listening here in my Bay Area. I had a wish to work with him on one of my projects. He was really a quiet and unassuming man. He brought only to the stage the instumentation he needed and nothing more. For that he seemed to me larger than life. I missed a grand opportunity to work with a great, but not to know first hand of his work. I have always said that we should do whatever we can today to raise up and show our deepest respect to our musical foundational leaders. We should actively honor our icons today while they are with us so they know each day they awake just how much they mean to us. To me it is far too late to wait as if a new day is promised us.

Sable Winters

This early a.m. brought a call from Earl's daughter that Earl had passed...
Earl carried on an amazing correspondence with musicians and jazz lovers such as myself. I worked at Bop City in the 50's and over the years kept in touch with musicians through Earl. Out here in the middle of the Pacific, I would be out of touch if it were not for the letters from Earl.
Another giant has passed from our midst. Aloha Dear Earl