Dave Wilson

Saxophonist DAVE WILSON Dave Wilson was born (Aug. 22, 1955) and raised in Bronxville, NY. rooted strongly in a music background since the fourth grade, Wilson continues to forge his name in jazz as a lasting influence. Wilson has been residing in the Lancaster, PA area since 1983. As the leader of his own jazz groups, the Dave Wilson Quartet/Crazeology, Wilson and his band mates are known for their groundbreaking improvisations along with creative individualistic compositions and unique arrangements of standards. Wilson also co-leads the well known Traditional/New Orleans ensemble, the Canal Street Hot 6, (CD; “Back In the Day) with the great trumpet stylist, Ben Mauger. Wilson continues to stretch his boundaries freelancing with both big bands and small ensembles in the area. From concerts to festivals to club dates and private engagements, Wilson averages over 150 gigs per year and has held that number steady since 1990! Some of the highlights include appearances at Chris' Jazz Cafe (one of the leading jazz venues in Philadelphia), The Hot Steam Jazz festival in Connecticut, Harrisburg, PA’s American Music Festival, Bethlehem, PA Muskiest, and Baltimore’s Camden Yards, as well as the Lancaster Jazz Festival and First Night Lancaster. On these engagements Wilson has worked with the likes of Jim Ridl (Pat Martino); Tony Marino (Dave Liebman); Steve Varner (Pat Martino); and the legendary Philadelphia Jazz Guitarist Steve Giordano, among others. A highlight of Wilson’s career was in the fall of 2002, when he released the first CD under his own name, titled Through the Time, featuring himself on tenor and soprano saxophones; Kirk Reese on piano; Steve Meashey on bass; and Jeff Stabley on drums. The release was picked up by Dreamscape Records and received significant airplay on WRTI-FM in Philadelphia, and enjoyed additional airplay on over 30 jazz stations nationwide! Through the Time found itself on a few individual stations top 5 stats. A new CD by the Dave Wilson Quartet titled My Time has just been released this fall. The new album is currently in radio promotion with Mike Carlson and is again a favorite at WRTI as well as catching onto jazz stations nationwide with many ads coming in daily! Additionally My Time is currently in a national campaign for publicity with Kari Gaffney (Kari-On Productions) and has garnered top notch reviews. The momentum is growing daily, as reviewers and listeners experience the Dave Wilson vibe. Wilson’s experience also includes being a long standing member (recently retired to focus on his own endeavors) of the Dave Stahl Sacred Orchestra and Dave Stahl Big Band, (Dave Stahl is one of the leading Jazz trumpet artists in the nation. The DSSO released 2CD’s out on their own, both of which he performed on. With the big band he played alongside such Jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Tom Harrell, Lou Soloff (BS & T), the late Steve Marcus, John Fedchock, Conrad Herwig, Gary Smulyan, Steve Smith (from Journey), John Riley, among others. Dave has studied with the great saxophonists Joe Lovano, Bill Barron, Tom Stroman, as well as Steve Giordano. Wilson is a striking saxophonist with chops and maturity of tone that invokes passions and enthusiasm when listening to his vocabulary in jazz.



The Dave Wilson Quartet: My Time (Dreambox Media)

“My Time”, by the Dave Wilson Quartet, has been released on Dreambox Media (Dreamboxmedia.com), an influential independent jazz record label headed by the great Philly drummer Jim Miller, that features largely Delaware Valley artists. J.D. Walter, Larry McKenna, Jim Ridl, Dennis Diblasio, George Rabbai, Duane Eubanks and Jim Miller are just some of the artists featured on this label. The recording was done at The Music Centre in Exton, Pa (Glenn Ferracone, Engineer), and features noted Philadelphia and south-central PA artists Matt Hochmiller on Acoustic Piano, Steve Meashey on Acoustic Bass, and Tony Deangelis on Drums. “My Time” features 5 original tunes, all written by Dave Wilson, all in distinctive jazz idioms, along with covers of 5 standard tunes. These include unique treatments of Gershwin’s “Summertime”, Alec Wilder’s “Moon And Sand”, Kenny Wheeler’s “Smatter”, Bill Evan’s “Time Remembered”, along with “Just Friends”.

Here are what some of the critics are already saying about “My Time”; FIRST, AN OUTSTANDING REVIEW IN THE MARCH, 2007 ISSUE OF JAZZ TIMES!

…Dave Wilson’s second CD makes a subdued entrance with a gently flowing ballad led by long, clear tones from Wilson’s soprano sax. But just when you thin you’ve got him figured out, the tables are turned. It’s Wilson’s gruff, streetwise tenor that dominates this outing, with a merry band of Philadelphia musicians keeping the vibe straight-up and swinging. They hit their peak in a compelling version of “Summertime” (presented here in two versions), with Wilson’s passionate blowing going into overdrive above the riffing rhythm section. Five original tunes offer catchy hooks and warm moods, keeping the disc buzzing along nicely. JAZZ TIMES, MARCH 2007

...Wilson injects punch and zip into jazz standards...his wit shines radiantly... And besides the musicians’ noticeable camaraderie and solid chops, this endeavor pronounces clarity of thought, and proclamations of good cheer. - Glenn Astarita, Jazzreview.com

.... An engaging performance and clever, boppish charts, should propel this disc to the top of the national jazz station play list. - Edward Blanco, Ejazznews.com

…Tenor saxophonist Dave Wilson and his quartet are based in Philadelphia and, from the evidence of this CD, they are well worth catching. Wilson has an intense but friendly tone on tenor and soprano, and a style based in hard bop but open to undertaking more adventurous paths. Pianist Matt Hochmiller takes several impressive solos and the rhythm section is both supportive and stimulating. Whether it is an up-tempo romp or a brooding ballad, My Time has plenty of colorful moments and features the four musicians in top form. -Scott Yanow, (AMG) Allmusic.com

…The Dave Wilson Quartet’s 2005 album My Time is very good in a recent CD release that offers mostly original material by Wilson…It is one of the most replayable Jazz CDs we have heard in a while and fans will be very interested too. -Nicholas Sheffo, fulvuedrive-in.com

…In the tradition of mainstream jazz, reedman extraordinaire Dave Wilson asserts himself to us his devoted listeners like a NASA shuttle bent on conquering the universe...Proffering us their music with compelling chordal extensions, & lovely angular lines, etc....Bringing our sensibilities to a strong musical reaction in real time. George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman

…A solid ensemble plus a few tried and true standards make this worthwhile recording. 4 Stars John Gilbert, Ejazznews.com

…Dave Wilson…A post-Coltrane soprano and tenor saxophonist with a penchant for melody…. a keen sense of melody, as well as the ability to turn the heat a notch up on the uptempo tracks. -Michael P. Gladstone, allaboutjazz.com

…Lancaster, Pa.-based saxophonist Dave Wilson can change your mind about the hipness of Amish country… is a threat throughout the woodwind family. …a fluid player who gets around the horn - mostly soprano and tenor - and blends in wherever he lands… a happening mainstream vibe -K.S. Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer