editor
Gary Roberts

Published in January 5-11, 2005 Edition

In his “other life,” Jeff Willey is a sales and marketing representative for a reputable firm focused on the company’s profit margin. But as a member of the Smokin’ Torpedoes, and a leading proponent of the Orlando blues scene, Willey applies these same skills to promote a brand of music whose reputation is one of low-down, gritty raunch ’n roll. And the only bottom line recognized is the connection reached between the musicians and their audience.

“I’m passionate about the music. It’s all about live performance,” said Willey, who plays guitar and mouth harp and sings for the Smokin’ Torpedoes, his latest in a long string of blues ensembles.
Willey is a founding member of the Houseshakers, a seminal Orlando blues band that in the mid-’80s was the epicenter of the local blues revival. After their shows at the old Beacham Theater, which also hosted such blues legends as Buddy Guy and Johnny Winter, the band would saunter over to the adjacent bar, where they would take up residence as the house band. His “other life,” however, would pull him to New York, where he continued to play the blues over the past two decades.

“I moved back two years ago and there was absolutely no blues here,” Willey said between sets of his latest attempt to bring the blues back to Orlando. Every week, from 4-8 p.m., the Smokin’ Torps host the “Sunday Afternoon Blues Jam” at Smokee Tavern on East Colonial Drive. And the band and the venue share more than just an appellation –– and a penchant –– for fiery combustion. Together, they are committed to presenting the blues. Not only does Willey personally deliver up classic blues numbers with his band, but he is also the chief organizer for the ongoing forum. On a typical weekend, 15 to 20 artists take the stage, churning out their own versions of this timeless music. “This is our version of going to church on Sundays,” Willey said. One of the regular contributors, Vernon W. Miller, leads Burnin’ Vernon & Wild Blue Yonder through an energetic set. Alternating between trumpet, rhythm guitar, percussion and vocals, Miller, 49, belts out an aged blend of old-school rhythm and blues and funk, “plus, with the trumpet, there’s always a chance that a little jazz will sneak in there.”

Miller has been entertaining blues aficionados since forming the Blooze Shews in the early ’90s, when he also bought his first home, in Bonneville, just a stone’s throw from Smokee Tavern.
“I’ve been at it quite a while,” he said, reflecting the tone of many of musicians who come to play and be part of a scene that is decidedly long on experience –– both on and off the stage.
“It’s a great opportunity for musicians to network and the choice of Sunday afternoon is good for some of the older guys. It’s the best blues jam anywhere in town,” said Miller, praising the high level of talent on display and crediting Willey with drawing many of the local blues cats and jammers.

Indeed, Willey is taking on the role of impresario to spur both players and fans to demand a blues scene for their mutual benefit. It was Willey who marshaled his connections to create the supremely successful Orlando Bluesfest and Barbecue at Wall Street Plaza in November. Because the Houseshakers have endured in one form or another throughout the years, still holding annual reunion concerts in Orlando, Willey could tap into about 70 one-time members to recruit bands for the full day of music. The free event, which Willey plans to make an annual affair, drew a large crowd to downtown Orlando and featured nine bands, including a Houseshakers reunion along with four offshoot bands. To pull off the Bluesfest, negotiations between Willey and Wall Street merchants proceeded without problems. “They asked me what I wanted,” Willey recalled, “ and I said I didn’t want anything out of it. I will get the bands and you can pay for the stage and sound.” Willey, along with fellow guitarist and singer from the Smokin’ Torps, Clayton Cole, are also key members of the newly formed Orange Blossom Blues Society, a loose-knit support group for blues musicians and fans. “Our mission is to preserve, promote and present live blues,” said Cole who, like Willey, calls Chuluota home these days. The nonprofit group aims to provide a forum for the exchange of current blues news and events to keep the blues alive in Central Florida. In addition, OBBS is involved in planning more music festivals and blues nights at local venues that want to sponsor live blues.

“The hardest part in Orlando is finding the right room with the right atmosphere,” Willey said. “There’s definitely an audience out there.”