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A Willie fave: RIP Calvin Owens
A Texas trumpet giant nicknamed “The Maestro” has passed away. Calvin Owens, a former staff producer and studio musician for legendary Peacock Records in Houston, died early Thursday of kidney failure. He was 78.
Best known as B.B. King’s original band leader, the prolific Owens also recorded in the 1940s with Lightnin’ Hopkins. His credits include work with Otis Clay, Archie Bell, Arnett Cobb, David “Fathead” Newman and Barbara Lynn.
His final session was in November 2007, when he backed Willie Nelson, Johnny Bush and Ray Price on an album expected to come out later this year on Nelson’s Pedernales Records. Nelson has been a fan of Owens. The trumpet player added his bluesy tones to Joe Hinton’s 1960s version of Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away.”
“Calvin played incredibly behind the beat,” said Houston producer Andy Bradley. “His phrasing on the trumpet was truly unique. He was a blues player, not a jazz player.”
Owens’ only Grammy award, ironically, came in the Best Jazz Album category for a 1984 album he arranged for B.B. King. He was also named best horn player in Living Blues magazine’s critic’s poll in the ’80s.
At Owens’ request, there will be no funeral, but a memorial concert is being planned.
Can’t imagine a better way to remember Owens than to hear his friend play this great swan song.
(Pictured: Calvin Owens in the studio with Barbara Lynn. Courtesy of Sugar Hill Recordings)
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