Bobby Nesbitt Key West lost its piano bars At ten years old, Bobby Nesbitt could already play the trumpet and read music. He started taking piano lessons, learning classical music and style early on, but his passion soon became the Music Masters of the 20th Century like Irving Berlin, Ira Gershwin, and the Great American […]
Mary Spear “When all else fails, I play Dead” Mary Spear was raised in Carroll, Iowa. At fourteen, she listened to recordings of Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan and started playing the guitar. While in high school, Mary attended summer music programs at the University of Vermont. She lived on Lake Okoboji in […]
Tony Roberts – Four chords and the truth Tony Roberts is a very unique songwriter and performer – so unique that the local blood bank frequently calls him to donate blood. Growing up in Boston, Tony was obsessed with writing and frequently attended writing conferences. He read ferociously and loved Hemingway. He was inspired by […]
Sebrina Alphonso – Key West is still home Born in Key West, Sebrina Alphonso is a 6th generation Conch. She remembers big family parties resulting in instruments coming out, with music, singing, and dancing into the night. She attended Truman Elementary (now the Harvey Building) and joined music programs starting in the first grade. In […]
Paulie Walterson Music is family. Born in 1945, Paulie Walterson is a fifth-generation Key West Conch. His father worked for the Navy, and they lived in a house next to Harris Elementary School. His family originated in Spanish Wells, on the northern end of Eleuthera Island, in the Bahamas. His cousin, Armond Walterson, was married […]
Coffee Butler – a true Key West legend The following words cannot do justice to the talent of this amazing human being. The City of Key West honored him by naming the new amphitheater, the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. The honor was well earned. Lofton Ambrose Butler was born in Bahama Village in 1928 into a […]
Guitar Buddies – a special gift By Ralph De Palma Three wonderful Key West guitarists had a unique bond through music – George Victory, Yvan Agbo, and Rolando Rojas. Although these accomplished musicians came from very different musical backgrounds, they were drawn together, sometimes for a special gig performance, a new music idea […]
Dave Burns – Jazz piano and private eye By Ralph De Palma Dave was from Providence, Rhode Island. He was raised by a single mother who was constantly working so his grandmother, Alice McKenna, watched over him. She taught piano all over town so naturally, Dave started piano lessons at three years old. Due to […]
Michael Gillis – “Never worked a day in my life.” By Ralph De Palma John Michael Gillis was born in Hudson, New York. He spent his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia and Grove Hill, Alabama. Michael said, “I became obsessed with music by the time I was 10 years old. Even when I really […]
Bill Blue – Timing and A Touch of Serendipity By Ralph De Palma I assume that everyone reading this title knows a little something of the Key West Legendary Bluesman and entertainer extraordinaire, Bill Blue. Or has at least attended one of his almost monthly “Sound Checks” at the Green Parrot. If not, there […]
