Willie Bee
Quick Facts
Biography
Willie Bee (1910—1942) was an American blues singer and guitarist from Mississippi.
Willie Bee was born Willie B. James in 1910 in Yazoo City, Mississippi.
Musical career
Bee was active in Chicago, Illinois, in the 1930s. He mostly worked with Piedmont blues musician Bumble Bee Slim and Chicago Blues musician Tampa Red. He made only four recordings under his name (of which two were unreleased).
Bee's first known recordings are with singer Sam Tarpley in 1930. In 1934, he played his guitar for Bumble Bee Slim's "Ain't it a Crying Shame?" and "Climbing on Top of the Hill" with Chicago blues pianist Jimmie Gordon. In September 1935, Bee made four recordings with fellow Mississippi blues singer Red Nelson. He was accompanied by Charles Avery on piano. The same year, he also recorded two tracks with Piedmont blues singer Carl Martin and four tracks with Boogie-Woogie pianist Frank "Springback" James.
In 1936 and 1937, Bee worked mostly with Tampa Red and made several recordings.
No known recordings are available after 1937.
Death
Willie Bee died in 1942 at age 32.