A Tribute to Willie Earl Clark, the ‘Duke of Earl’
By CHUCK CISSEL
Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
EARL CLARK
“Willie Earl Clark’s world was music. Whether it was playing music, arranging music, listening to music, teaching music or making sure the acoustics and sound system was perfect for other artists, this was his life. Each day was filled with music. On Saturday, July 3, I had the privilege of speaking at Earl Clark’s funeral held at the Morning Star Baptist Church, of which Earl was a dedicated member for many years.
Though his first name was Willie, we all knew him as Earl Clark. Now when you think of Earl, what comes to mind? Of course, we remember him as a great entertainer, phenomenal jazz and blues saxophonist, a fantastic vocalist too, band leader, dedicated music educator – lover of jazz and blues.
He was a cat who played all of the annual outdoor music festivals, including Juneteenth, Jazz on Greenwood, Mayfest, JazzFest, Utica Square and many others.
He was thought of as a man who loved working with the youth of this community. Indeed, he was one heck of a music educator and took great pride in his music student’s pursuit of excellence with their music lessons and performances. And the students also took great pride in making sure they pleased and worked hard for Clark.
There is actually more to Earl Clark. We think of him as a great humanitarian as well; a man universally loved, adored and accepted by all people. You see, to Earl, your religion did not matter, neither your skin color, nationality, age, social or financial status or anything else we, as a society, use to create division.
Clark recognized that he was God’s child, one who engaged, loved and treated everyone the same, as scripture clearly states. He was a gracious soul, spreading good will, positive energy and his brand of love and happiness. We all know that he was a man with a big heart, a jovial spirit, a hearty, loud laugh and an outrageous sense of humor. When you performed or gigged with Earl, you knew you were in for some laughs, jokes and good times. Most musicians are comedians and enjoy a good laugh. He was known for cracking jokes, poking fun at himself and others. When you were with Earl, he kept things light and breezy. It was all just good old-fashioned fun! Earl and I had running jokes when we saw each other and I am sure he shared running jokes with many of you who knew him.
When you think of Earl, the moment you saw him walking up to you, a smile would automatically take control of your face, and you would feel his welcoming presence, his gracious spirit, a friendly word or something comical, an outreached hand, or a hug that was wrapped in his warmhearted, cuddly, personality, and always clothed in humor, kindness, and his sweet spirit. Earl liked to be loved and he was a man that loved others easily. The way he embraced his fellow man is a wonderful template for all of us to adhere to. What greater joy than to actually allow the presence of God work through you, to bless your fellow man.
Earl Clark was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame Jazz in 2002, which remains one of the most impressive list of inductees, to this date. The inductees included jazz icon Dave Brubeck, the legendary Ms. Patti Page, our beloved brother, Wayman Tisdale, Bishop Carlton Pearson, and Jesse Ed Davis. Earl Clark was our jazz inductee.
I recall so well the day I told Earl, “Congratulations… you will be inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame this year.” He looked into my eyes, with tears welling up in his and said “Oh my God, for real?” I told him, “Yes.” He said, “Thank you so much, I am so honored and blessed.”
It was a happy, but tearful moment for Earl. On the night of the Gala, when he was inducted and received his award, he did so with tears in his eyes before the audience. It was a very emotional and memorable night for him, because not only was he proud of his accomplishment, but proud that his mother witnessed his induction into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. He was thrilled to meet Dave Brubeck, Patti Page and Taj Mahal, and he and Wayman were high-fiving, sharing laughs and having the time of their lives. There was a lot of tears and joy-filled moments that night! I remember it well.
Earl was a great ambassador for the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. He often wore his induction medal to many of his performances and concerts. He wanted people to know that he was a Jazz Hall inductee. For those who did not attend the “Remembering Earl” memorial tribute at the Jazz Depot, I’m pleased to say that the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame presented a benefit concert to an enthusiastic, multi-cultural, packed crowd and the funds raised were given to the family to help defray expenses and to provide a scholarship in Earl’s name. The scholarship will be presented to a deserving music student so that they will carry on Earl’s legacy and continue to represent the jazz that Earl loved so much.
In closing, Earl Clark was not only a humanitarian, music educator, saxophonist, jazz ambassador, our friend and loved one, but he was an ambassador for the city of Tulsa, the state of Oklahoma and an extraordinary human spirit who spread love, great music and good vibes wherever he went. Clearly, Earl Clark was one of the great ones with his bigger than life personality, amazing musical talent and his embracing nature, everyone really could not help but love him. You were an instant friend, because Earl never met a stranger. And let me tell you, he knew how to make a party happen for sure!
He rocked the house at our 2010 New Year’s Eve Party at the Jazz Depot. Young or old, everybody enjoyed Earl Clark and Spectrum Band. He also loved and counted on his band mates. They stood by Earl in good times and trying times; they were loyal to Earl (Spike Gore, Mike Leland, Mike McClure, Willie Conde, Starr Fisher, Loren Stidman, and Jon Terry, his manager); they were Earl’s family too and I am sure they will miss him more than we will ever know.
So Earl, my dear friend, brother, colleague and Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, from your family, all of your band mates over the years, all the musicians who had the privilege of jamming with you, your many, many friends, the Jazz Hall of Fame family and all of your loved ones, we know that Heaven is jumpin’ and swingin’ with soul, laughter and high fives all around. Now that you are there with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Satchmo, Duke Ellington, Chet Baker, Charlie Christian, Count Basie, Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday, wow. I know they have welcomed you with open arms, so Earl, jump on that bandstand baby and swing on! Show them how we do it in Oklahoma. We miss you already dear Earl and we love you eternally. Rest in Peace my brother!
Updated 08-13-2010
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