Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Gerald Wilson Orchestra: New York, New Sound
Gerald Wilson Orchestra: New York, New Sound
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. No doubt Gerald Wilson will be in demand because of this album. The bad news is that the New Sound of New York isn't as good as the old sound of Los Angeles to this listener's ears.
Wilson's most popular albums were recorded for Pacific Jazz in the '60s. Today none of those albums are available except the parts of Mosaic's Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings box. Pacific Jazz's 1978 Best of compilation (PJ-LA889-H) includes the original recordings of "Blues For Yna Yna," Miles Davis's "Milestones," "Viva Tirado," and John Coltrane's "Equinox." In every case, the original is better than the new version.
The New York sound is not as smooth and polished as the Los Angeles sessions. The solos here have an edge that is not found in the originals. That won't matter to anyone who has not heard the originals, but I prefer what is not here, and I suspect I am not alone. There are no bad tracks to be found here. The four songs mentioned above stand out, as does the 1990s melody "Theme From Monterey." Notable soloists include pianist Kenny Barron, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, trumpeter Clark Terry, and pianist Renee Rosnes.
So give Gerald Wilson full marks for the courage to take on some of his best work and give it a new visage. Since the originals are out of print, this collection is welcome.
Track Listing
1. Milestones 2. Blues for the Count 3. Equinox 4. Viva Tirado (Mucho Mas) 5. Teri 6. Blues for Yna Yna 7. Theme for Monterey: 8. M Capetillo 9. Josefina 10. Nancy Jo
Personnel
Gerald Wilson
composer / conductorThe New York Gerald Wilson Orchestra. Trumpets: Clark Terry - Fluegelhorn & Trumpet (track 2)/Trumpet (track 6), Jon Faddis - (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10), Jimmy Owens, Eddie Henderson, Frank Greene - (tracks 3, 4 and 7), Sean Jones. Trombones: Benny Powell, Luis Bonilla, Dennis Wilson, Douglas Purviance. Reeds/Saxophones: Jimmy Heath - Tenor Sax, Frank Wess - Tenor Sax (all tracks)/Flute (track 2), Jesse Davis - Alto Sax, Jerry Dodgion - Alto Sax (all tracks)/Flute (tracks 2 and 8), Jay Brandford - Baritone Sax. Piano: Kenny Barron - (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10), Renee Rosnes - (tracks 3, 4 and 7). Guitar: Anthony Wilson, Oscar Castro-Neves (track 8). Bass: Larry Ridley - (tracks 1, 4, 6, 8 and 10), Trey Henry - (tracks 5, 7 [Romance] and 9), Bob Cranshaw - (tracks 2, 3 and 6). Drums: Lewis Nash - (tracks 1, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10), Stix Hooper -(tracks 2, 3, 4 and 7). Percussion: Lenny Castro -(tracks 4 and 8).
Album information
Title: New York, New Sound | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records
About Gerald Wilson
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
