R.I.P.: Willie Tee

The keyboardist and singer Willie Tee died in New Orleans on September 11th at the age of 63 from colon cancer. He was the composer and arranger behind the album "The Wild Magnolias" from 1973, and had participated in several R&B hits in the 60s, some of which have been used as samples by rappers in recent years. His peculiar funk style influenced Joe Zawinul whose band Weather Report later recorded Tee's "Can It Be Done". Tee had been present on many records by local musicians. Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home and studio neighboring Lake Pontchatrain. From 2005-6 he taught as artist in residence at Princeton University, then settled in Baton Rouge. Obituary: New York Times .