Date: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023

Genre: Jazz

Willie Akins began playing music on a simple recorder-type instrument. Before long he was playing the saxophone. Attracted by the music opportunities and challenges of New York City, Willie Akins moved to that city in 1957. He was there for eleven years and returned to St. Louis, shortly after his father’s death. Since then, Akins has worked to raise the standard of jazz musicianship in St. Louis. He and his Willie Akins Quartet perform regularly at Spruill’s nightclub in St. Louis. In 1998 Akins and the quartet released their first music compact disc entitled, “Alima” (Catalyst Productions). Quartet members also featured on the CD are Willem von Hombracht (bass), Montez Coleman (drums), and Simon Rowe (piano).