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July 17, 2007

Earl Watkins

From San Francisco comes word that Earl Watkins died early this month at the age of eighty-seven. Elegant, softspoken and full of knowledge, Watkins was a key figure in Bay Area jazz as a drummer and a historian of the music. He played with bands as varied as Bob Scobey's traditional revival outfit at the Tin Angel and Earl "Fathah" Hines' at the Hangover Club. He was the first drummer hired at Jimbo's Bop City when that celebrated after hours club opened in 1950. He worked steadily until bad health sidelined him last fall, and he was a mentor to generations of young musicians.
watkins.jpgWatkins spent most of his life in the Bay Area, but in the mid-forties played for a time in the Los Angeles big band of pianist Wilbert Baranco, a friend from his days as a World War Two US Navy musician. Another member of the rhythm section was bassist Charles Mingus. The band included Snooky Young, Melba Liston, Lucky Thompson and Britt Woodman. Watkins is with the Baranco band on four tracks of the CD Groovin' High in L.A. 1946. He recorded at the Hangover Club in 1957 and '58 with the Hines band, which had Muggsy Spanier, Darnell Howard, Jimmy Archey and Pops Foster. Some issues of the Hines-Spanier recording are subtitled, "The Chicago Dates," but as Jepsen's discography delicately puts it, "the above details are believed to be more correct."

Mr. Watkins enriched my research when I was working on Paul Desmond's biography. His generosity with his expertise about the San Francisco jazz scene of the forties and early fifties was invaluable. Earl was good company. I shall miss him.

Posted by dramsey at July 17, 2007 1:05 AM

COMMENTS

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

Posted by: jackie at July 18, 2007 12:09 PM

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

Posted by: Sable Winters at July 29, 2007 12:49 AM

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.

Posted by: William Thomas at December 31, 2007 9:29 PM



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