Born Roosevelt Willette in 1933 in either Arkansa or Louisiana, Baby Face Willette soaked up the gospel sounds of his Southern upbringing and channeled them into the Hammond organ, first in Chicago, then in New York City. The latter residence brought him in contact with Grant Green and Lou Donaldson circa late ‘50s/early ‘60s, during the heyday of soul jazz. There were only four albums (two on Blue Note, two on Argo) under his leadership issued during his lifetime, plus appearances on discs by Green and Donaldson. Willette was an agile and imaginatively melodic improviser (and songwriter) who drifted into obscurity after 1966. He died in 1971.