Willie Akins - Funeral Benefit Fund
Donation protected
This Website has been set up to collect funds for Tenor Saxophonist, Willie Akins' Family to cover medical and funeral costs.
Sadly after Willie passed away on October 2nd, 2015.
Willie was suffering from Congestive Heart Failure, and now he is at peace and suffering no more.
Willie Akins is considered to be one of the top jazz musicians to ever come out of St. Louis. He was and is still loved by so many fans and musicians worldwide.
Here is an article about Willie's Life: http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/the-ballad-of-willie-akins/Content?oid=2469655
This campaign, in conjunction with several Benefit Concerts at The Kranzberg Arts Center, The Ferring Jazz Bistro, The Sheldon Concert Hall and BB's Jazz Blues and Soups will help cover the financial burden on Willie's family; medical bills and funeral costs.
I have a special place in my heart for Willie, and I know that many of you do as well.
When I was a young college student at Webster University 1986-1990, I used to follow Willie all over town to hear him play. Back then, I never thought I would ever be able to perform with him. Many years later after I returned to the music scene, I found myself sharing the stage of the Sheldon Concert Hall on January 15th, 2013 with Willie Akins! I have performed with Willie on several occations, but that Sheldon show was very pivotal for my personal success. I will never forget it, and I owe a debt of gratitude to Willie Akins for helping me achieve success.
Our Recent Benefit concert on September 4th at the Kranzberg Arts Center was a Willie's last public performance. He was able to perform 5 or 6 tunes that night and he sounded magnificent as always.
The Montez Coleman Group held a benefit for Willie on September 18th at the Ferring Jazz Bistro that also raised money for Willie; sadly Willie was too weak to attend.
On Sunday October 4th Tom Byrne hosted a Benefit Concert for Willie at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups. This show featured dozens of musicians that have played with Willie over the years. What a treat it was to attend!
On Tuesday October 6th, Wendy Gordon, Jeanne Trevor and Friends held a Benefit Concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall that raised money for Willie Akins' Funeral. It was a spectacular show with 9 singers and an all star band.
If you where not able to attend any of these shows, please consider making a donation here at this website.
I would like to thank all the musicians that have performed at these benefit concerts and especially the sponsors that have donated funds to make Willie's last days comfortable.
So What Now??? Let's Keep it Going!
Look for future updates as we get closer to our goal of $20,000!
Spread the Word and Share this Campaign!
Thank You,
Joe Mancuso
(636) [phone redacted]
You can also make donations via check.
Make your check payable to:
Willie Akins
Send checks to:
MancusoJazz.com
1734 Clarkson Rd. #101
St. Louis, MO 63017
Sadly after Willie passed away on October 2nd, 2015.
Willie was suffering from Congestive Heart Failure, and now he is at peace and suffering no more.
Willie Akins is considered to be one of the top jazz musicians to ever come out of St. Louis. He was and is still loved by so many fans and musicians worldwide.
Here is an article about Willie's Life: http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/the-ballad-of-willie-akins/Content?oid=2469655
This campaign, in conjunction with several Benefit Concerts at The Kranzberg Arts Center, The Ferring Jazz Bistro, The Sheldon Concert Hall and BB's Jazz Blues and Soups will help cover the financial burden on Willie's family; medical bills and funeral costs.
I have a special place in my heart for Willie, and I know that many of you do as well.
When I was a young college student at Webster University 1986-1990, I used to follow Willie all over town to hear him play. Back then, I never thought I would ever be able to perform with him. Many years later after I returned to the music scene, I found myself sharing the stage of the Sheldon Concert Hall on January 15th, 2013 with Willie Akins! I have performed with Willie on several occations, but that Sheldon show was very pivotal for my personal success. I will never forget it, and I owe a debt of gratitude to Willie Akins for helping me achieve success.
Our Recent Benefit concert on September 4th at the Kranzberg Arts Center was a Willie's last public performance. He was able to perform 5 or 6 tunes that night and he sounded magnificent as always.
The Montez Coleman Group held a benefit for Willie on September 18th at the Ferring Jazz Bistro that also raised money for Willie; sadly Willie was too weak to attend.
On Sunday October 4th Tom Byrne hosted a Benefit Concert for Willie at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups. This show featured dozens of musicians that have played with Willie over the years. What a treat it was to attend!
On Tuesday October 6th, Wendy Gordon, Jeanne Trevor and Friends held a Benefit Concert at the Sheldon Concert Hall that raised money for Willie Akins' Funeral. It was a spectacular show with 9 singers and an all star band.
If you where not able to attend any of these shows, please consider making a donation here at this website.
I would like to thank all the musicians that have performed at these benefit concerts and especially the sponsors that have donated funds to make Willie's last days comfortable.
So What Now??? Let's Keep it Going!
Look for future updates as we get closer to our goal of $20,000!
Spread the Word and Share this Campaign!
Thank You,
Joe Mancuso
(636) [phone redacted]
You can also make donations via check.
Make your check payable to:
Willie Akins
Send checks to:
MancusoJazz.com
1734 Clarkson Rd. #101
St. Louis, MO 63017
Organizer
Joe Mancuso
Organizer
Chesterfield, MO