R.E. Willis is the product of musical parents. The son of a Jazz saxophonist father and a gospel-singing mother. And although he is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, it is the
Soprano Sax that commands his devotion. The woodwind has always been his instrument of choice. He started with the clarinet in high school, supplemented by acoustic and electric guitar. The flute and keyboard came much later. But it is the
Soprano Sax that has consumed him over the past several years. And his adeptness in the use of Midi allows him to be an equally competent arranger of the songs he performs and writes. Music is his haven. A profession that buffers all else that he does.
When
R.E. Willis picks up his horn and blows, his love of music can overwhelm all who listen. It is immediately evident in the sultry, and unforgettable sounds that flow from his Soprano Sax. It is clear that all he chooses to play embraces those aspects of music that make us human. He deviates just a little from the classical structure, progressions and flowing melodies that make well known songs memorable. Just enough to remind us that even the most beautiful, unforgettable, and emotionally stirring songs can soar to other places -- leaving us all happy, sad, wistful, or simply awe struck.
As a result, his sound is new and unique. He plays his Soprano Sax in a jazzy mode, weaving its magnificent tone through some of the greatest pop melodies ever written. Even more, he adds this unique style of pop composition to his own songs as well.
Smooth Pop is what he calls his style. With just enough Jazz overtone to make his sound unforgettable and different from all other types of instrumental music.
He believes that the Soprano Sax can achieve true homage for only a select type of pop song. Ones with classical progressions, soaring melodies, and impressionable themes. In this arena, the Soprano Sax rises to its true greatness as an instrument -- gathering within its tones all the best characteristics of all of its instrumental brothers and sisters: the raunchy sounds of the alto sax, the piercing brightness of the trumpet, the ethereal flights of the flute, and the profound baritone beauty of the clarinet. Only the Soprano Sax can accomplish this.
R. E. Willis shows us why
Golden Oldies are golden, and why
Memorable Pop Songs become memorable.
The Soprano Sax of
R.E. Willis sings the songs many of us can never forget, coaxes us to cling to the pop melodies still becoming memorable, and declares the arrival of his own beautiful, haunting, sad and joyous riffs.
Here is a solo artist whose performaces remind us of why melody is magnificent, and why the Soprano Sax is incomparable as a Jazz instrument, especially when it embraces pop music.
R. E. Willis is a member of BMI and a voting member of The Recording Academy.
VISIT HIS WEB SITE:
www.reverbnation.com/rewillis
