Jazz Articles about Gerald Wilson

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Gerald Wilson Orchestra: In My Time

by Jack Bowers
November 6, 2005

While the question of who's our finest contemporary big band composer/arranger could be debated for days on end without any resolution, there's no doubt about who's the dean. Gerald Wilson, who celebrated his 87th birthday in September, wrote his first chart ("Yard Dog Mazurka ) for the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra circa 1940. In case you're keeping score, that's 65 years ago. That's remarkable enough; what's even more so is that the compositions and arrangements on In My Time, Wilson's second ...

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Gerald Wilson

by WBGO 88.3FM
May 17, 2004

Gary Walker:The winner and recipient of so many awards that if I listed the mall, we’d be here the whole hour. Nominated six times for a Grammy award. An NEA recipient as a jazz master. His works are ensconced in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. He’s asked for them back by the way... No, he hasn’t. Because he ain’t done yet. They’ve got to make more space. The wonderful bandleader, composer, arranger, orchestrator, educator and energizer, Gerald Wilson is with ...

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Gerald Wilson Orchestra: New York, New Sound

by J. Robert Bragonier
October 14, 2003

Of all of the historic big bands of the ‘40s, none has been more perennially overlooked than that of Gerald Wilson. For those of us on the left coast who wear insecurity on our sleeves like epaulets, the fact that Wilson’s career has primarily been associated with the Los Angeles jazz scene seems explanation enough for this slight. Although little known by the public, however, Wilson’s talent and contributions are well recognized within the jazz community. During his life in ...

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Gerald Wilson Orchestra: New York, New Sound

by Russell Moon
October 14, 2003

The great West Coast arranger Gerald Wilson has taken the charts from some of his most popular recordings, brought them to New York, and recorded with a band made up of many widely respected musicians. The result is New York, New Sound on Stix Hooper's Mack Avenue label.

There is good and bad news here. The good news is that the album is terrific. Many jazz fans will be introduced to Wilson's talent through this album, and will seek more. ...

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A Fireside Chat With Gerald Wilson

by AAJ Staff
October 10, 2003

Within the pages of Central Avenue Sounds, Gerald Wilson recalls, “In February of 1940 I came to Los Angeles with the Jimmie Lunceford band.” He emphasizes, “I’ll never forget that day in February. As I looked out the window of my bunk in the sleeper, I see this beautiful sunshine. We were somewhere like San Bernardino. And I said, ‘Well, this is going to be the place for me.’ And when I got to Los Angeles and I saw how ...

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Gerald Wilson: The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of Gerald Wilson and His Orchestra

by C. Andrew Hovan
November 1, 2000

Even with the reissue boon that has resulted in so much obscure music seeing the light of day, certain artists have not fared well when it comes to the availability of their work. Dick Bock’s Pacific Jazz imprimatur falls under the Blue Note/Capitol umbrella, but past reissues have seemed to focus on “cool school” items with sets from Chet Baker, Bud Shank, and Bill Perkins being the norm. Hard bop artists such as Curtis Amy, Paul Bryant, Frank Butler, The ...

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Gerald Wilson: Jenna

by Jim Santella
June 1, 1997

The catchy melody of the title tune, coupled with its lively rhythm and intricate harmonic structures, pretty well sums up the music of this 78-year-old big band master. Over the years Gerald Wilson has managed to create some very successful compositions and arrangements, and at the same time maintain a rather stable big band organization in the Los Angeles area. One of the secrets to his success is Wilson's ability to recognize young talent and to provide a ...