Birth name Wiley Dean Reed Albums Live Again Genres Blues | Role Musician Name Wiley Reed | |
Also known as Moses 'Turkey Slap' Washington Born 5 January 1944
Jacksonville, Florida, United States ( 1944-01-05 ) Died October 7, 2012, Brisbane, Australia | ||
Wiley reed awesome blues singer live legends
Wiley Dean Reed (5 January 1944 – 7 October 2012) was an Australian-based African-American blues musician and songwriter, who sang and accompanied himself on the piano. He was a multi-award winning artist who played with some of the genre's biggest artists.
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Biography
Born in Jacksonville, Florida on 5 January 1944, Reed began singing in the local church choir at the age of nine, and was already an accomplished musician in his native United States before he arrived in Australia in 1967. He toured extensively throughout the United States, Australia and Europe, and made three trips to Vietnam (1967, 68, 69) to entertain troops.
Reed began his career in Australia at the Two Eyes Club where he performed with fellow blues artists Billy Thorpe, Phil Manning, Doug Parkinson and Jeff St John.
He became well known for his deep soulful style and his generosity, helping many musicians over the years in the style of great mentors such as Miles Davis.
In 1996, he was personally selected by Michael Jackson for a private welcoming concert during his History tour.
His last recording titled 'Straight from the heart' (2003) won several awards including three 'Sunnie' awards for Best Male Vocalist, Best Blues Album and Best Male Vocalist at the Gold Coast International Jazz and Blues Festival.
Recent Activity
In November 2010, Reed collaborated with a new lineup of Brisbane musicians to create and record original material under the pseudonym Moses 'Turkey Slap' Washington, a fictional Delta Bluesman who sings blues-rock with comedic lyrics. This was slated for release in 2011.
In 2012 Wiley Reed and his band opened the 2012 Broadbeach Blues Festival with Bob Malone, Chris Jagger, Phil Emmanuel and other international acts and was a highlight act on the main stage at the 2012 Noosa Jazz Festival.
Reed died in hospital due to complications from an earlier fall on 7 October 2012 in Brisbane, Australia. At the time of his death, he had a large following in Queensland and other states where he had played in festivals.