Louis Rossi Williamson

Way back when, early 70’s,being a beginner jazz improviser, I played with Lou and Bill Gobby(guitar) , through my connection to Andrew Homzy. Lou was a ‘speedster’ on the drums ,lots of ‘chops’! Lou and Bill were great jazz advocates and serious players.
Bless them all!

The internet is a funny thing. I thought about Lou the other day and decided to google him. I’m floored with all the goodness about him. Lou is forever engrained in me.
I studied with Lou twice. First time while he was the drum salesman at Long & McQuade. I actually bought my first new set from him in 1969 (hence the email address). Awkward sizes at the time. Did a great job. I still have that kit. He signed me up with “the Lou Williamson School of Music”. Stayed about a year.
Later used to travel to his house down by the bluffs. Once a week he would give me private lessons. I still use some of the beats he taught me and ever time I do I see his grin. The last time I used it was on a Buble’ version of “save the last dance for me”…..and everyone loved it!
Lou was Lou. Never intimidating. Always supportive. He will be missed but fondly remembered.

Thank you for all your comments about my brother Lou, I miss him too . I love you all for him. I am sad today to say that my brothers wife Maggie has passed on the 27th of Dec 2013.

I first met Mr. Williamson while working at Long & McQuade. My 6 years working in the drum department gave me the good fortune to see Mr. Williamson on a regular basis. He always had time to impart a little “drum wisdom”, and he even gave me a few rare pieces of jazz memorabilia from his collection. Over the years, I had the chance to see him perform often – and was always inspired by his finesse and passion behind the kit.
Thanks Lou for your kindness and inspiration. You are greatly missed.
Rob Gretsinger

I was fortunate to study with Lou back in the 80’s in Montreal. He was a great teacher, but I didn’t know the true depth of his talent until he invited me to a gig he had at the Delta Hotel with Oliver Jones. I had never seen anyone play with such musicality, technique and taste. I still think of Lou every single time I sit down to play, and I probably always will.

My condolences to his family & friends.

I first met Louis in the late 50’s when we both lived in the Maritime Apartments (for married military personnel) in Dartmouth, NS where he quickly became part of the gang. I moved to Soest Germany in ’61 and Louis turned-up like a bad penny in ’62 where we were both in the same class (grade 10). Actually, Louis only attened class for the first half of the year…he had some sort of nervous condition and for the second half of the year he only showed up at school to write the quarterly exams where he consistantly pulled off a 85-90% average. The rest of us goofs could never figure out how he did that:)
Louis had the use of the family storage room in the basement of the PMQ (Permanent Married Quarters) in Soest and he had his drum kit set-up down there so while the rest of us were being bored to death in school, Louis was home drumming away like Gene Krupa. Needless to say, me and Floyd MacLean cut many,many classes and went up to Louis’ and hung around (just like real jazz guys). Glad my old man never found out about that!!
One day in class, the words ‘Hippo Dung” sprang into my idle brain and being a 14 year old goof, I thought that was just hilarious, laughed so hard that tears were streaming down my face. When I finally could get those words out and told Louis, he just broke up too. Being Louis, he took it one step further and drew sketch of an ice cream cone with the letters HPD on the side of the cone. We then proceded to draw this ‘logo’ all over the school…teachers would open the blackboard and there was the HPD logo, students would open their books and there was the logo, mysteriously etched into the dust on the school buses would be the HPD logo. So if anyone from Soest Senoir High reads this, now you know the story on the HPD cone…it was all Louis’ Williamson’s fault:)
So from Eric Jordan (Dartmouth) and myself….thanks for the memories, Louis.

Today I opened my binder with a real sence of loss as I gaze upon pages and pages of hand written drum notation given to me by Lou 30 years ago.The work he put into his teaching, and the way he would make it seem as if he did it all just for me was something so remarkable that to this day I am still inspired, motivated,and deeply in love with the music in my life. For this I am eternally Gratefull. His legacy has no boundries because now my son is learning about Music through those same hand written charts that Lou gave to me so many years ago. To Lou’s family and friends. Please accept my condolances on what must be a stinging loss ….And know this, He will not be forgotton

I want to send Lou’s family my deep condolences. Although we were not close friends – I will always remember that smile and joyful playing! I was a young ‘wannabe’ bass player in the McGill jazz band and had the extreme good fortune of having Lou teach me at every rehearsal. I remeber with fondness that he did this with kindness and humour.
There are are people you never forget – he’s one of them.
Frank Opolko

I’m shocked and saddened to hear of Lou’s passing.

He was one of my first drum teachers and was a major influence during my formative years when I was a student at Concordia University in Montreal.

He also provided me with the special opportunity of becoming a drum instructor at Concordia (after I graduated) to assist in carrying his load of students – which became quite numerous during the early 80’s. Teaching is something that I continue to do to this day…

I was always impressed with his attention to detail…delivered in a very organic, caring way.

My sincere condolences to his surviving family.

Rest in peace, Lou…your torch is being passed.

To the family of Lou –
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Lou was such a talented musician; he was a great entertainer and a lot of fun to work with. He always had a smile on his face on stage. Having just performed some concerts he was supposed to be in, we in the orchestra felt his passing all the more keenly.
It was privilege to have known and worked with Lou. We will miss him.

To Maggie & Family,

This is very sad news indeed. I can’t believe that Lou is gone.

He was an extremely nice human being, besides being a very talented (fantastic) drummer and musician.

Susan and I would like to express our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to you and your family at this very sad time.

Please be aware that our thoughts are with you during this difficult period.

Sincerely,

Ross & Susan Holloway

ONTRAC MUSIC LTD.

I studied with Lou in the late 80s and I learned a lot from him, thank you Lou for everything you have given so many drummers in Montreal,

Rest in peace

Lou was a wonderful guy, an extremely talented artist who made it look easy. I’ll remember Lou’s spastic drumming style, and the fun he imparted to the audience while whimsically tossing his sticks in the air. He will be missed, but good memories will remain.

Dear Maggie:

My heart goes out to you, your family and Lou’s family. While posted to Montreal I had the wonderful pleasure of being invited to Lou and Maggie’s along with best friends, Cathy and Bill for meals, friendship and music. Maggie and Lou always made me feel so at home.

I am truly sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you.

Moira MacDonald (nee Hollohan)

I met Lou about 9 yrs. ago. He was unpacking his drums from his car into the Wharf St. Bistro, where the Thurs. night Jam was to be held. I couldn’t decide whether to wait around for an hour or so or drive home. He said, “You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t.” I decided to stay and met Hugh Fraser and Mike Herriot along with my new mentor.
I’ll always remember his words of wisdom and positively, upbeat attitude. I got the Times Columnist yesterday and Yes, Lou is a mentor to many and I am so fortunate to be one of them.
To his family. I’m so sorry for your loss. He will be remembered by many.
Take care, Linda Walker.

My sincerest condolences to Lou’s family and friends. I miss him, but then I always missed him. From the time our paths diverged in Victoria in the 60’s to the last time he recorded with us last winter, I missed him. Then, It was as if we’d never been apart. A good friend, amazing musician and fine human being. Lou, your recordings and memories and teachings live on.

I worked with Lou for four years in his capacity as President of the musician’s local and as a casual musician for the Victoria Symphony.

Lou and I sat across the table through some difficult discussions. I always found him to be a man of immense integrity, fairness and honesty. He carried out his duties with dignity and aplomb, and his word was his bond.

There are simply too few people of his character around and he will be truly missed.

To Lou’s loved ones: I did not know Lou for very long but had the pleasure and honour of briefly playing with him in a group with his old friend Fred Herfst , singer Lindsay Barber, and guitarist Mike (whose last name I’m forgetting). We were not the fulltime professional musicians that Lou usually played with but he treated us like equals and his generous and playful spirit inspired and delighted us all. We did some recording with him, regretfully never quite made it to the stage though we had been scheduled for a park bandshell gig. I was aware that he had already been through difficult health problems, and he seemed to be one of those survivors whose awareness was expanded through some very hard times. He seemed to appreciate, to savour whatever was happening moment to moment, with great enthusiasm and compassion, and peace as well. I hope that those qualities remained with him in his final days. I wish you great comfort in the memories you cherish of him.

I was so sad to hear of Lou’s passing. I had the privilege of working many years with Lou in connection with the City of Victoria’s co-sponsored MPF concert program. Lou was such a gentleman as well as an accomplished musician. He dedicated so many hours of hardwork for the Association and its members. Through his music he brought much joy to many. My sincere condolences to all of Lou’s family during this difficult time.

Thank you Lou. You will be missed.

I had the honour and the pleasure of working with Lou both in Montreal and at the CF School of Music. He was super-talented, flexible and good humoured. Canadian Music has lost an inspiring spirit. Everyone who knew him will feel a great loss.

Lou was an extraordinary man and a wonderful collegue on the AFM’s Canadian Conference Executive Board. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

I first met Lou in the early ’90s when serving in the Canadian Navy. I remember that everyone in the band was so excited that Lou Williamson was coming to the Naden Band.. All we heard from those who had worked with him in the past was, “wait til you hear this guy play!!”. He showed up, we pulled out some Buddy Rich features, and the fun began. The band went up a big notch…

Since then, I had the privilege of working with Lou in almost every conceivable musical setting; marching band (not so much fun), Tom Vickery’s Trio, the Tommy Banks Big Band, Chris Millington’s various ensembles, the Monday Night Big Band, the Victoria Symphony… on stage, in the studio. In every situation, Lou cared deeply about contributing in the most positive way he could. That focus carried over to the other musicians working with him. His professionalism, his energy, and the fact that he clearly cared about making people smile were why he was on almost every gig that I did in Victoria.

I came back to Victoria to play with the symphony last March and, sure enough, there was Lou in the percussion section. On my last day of the visit, my friend, Dave Enns, took me to a church for a Jazz Vespers service and there was Lou again.. playing the vibes this time. I’m so glad they invited me to sit in. I have that memory to reflect on as I think about my friend Lou. We will all miss you. Thank you for the time we had with you.