Report that Gerald Wilson has passed away

[B. Goren.]

Sad news.

[mikeweil]

One of the first, very first, jazz records I bought was a Gerald Wilson record, Everywhere. Out of the cutout bins, Loved it then, love it now, and have followed Gerald Wilson ever since. The more I understood big band writing, the more fun it was to listen to him. The Mosiac is a treasure, but don't overlook the later work. They're gems, all of them.

RIP. Much love, and you'll be missed down here on the ground.

Funny, that was my first Wilson LP, too, and, like yours, from a cut-out bin. Agree that the Mosaic is a teasure, I will spin some of it later this evening, but what really knocked me off my feet was some of the early Californian stuff compiled on the two Chronological Classics CDs - what power!

R.I.P., your flaming brass writing and piccolo parts will always linger in my mind.

[soulpope]

RIP

Edited September 9, 2014 by soulpope

[Rooster_Ties]

Were perhaps Gerald and Gil Evans arguably the most important big-band leaders after 1960?

[BFrank]

The Carmell Jones Mosaic Select has a couple of nice Gerald Wilson dates on it, too.

[romualdo]

what a wonderfully fulfilled life - one of my faves - will miss you Gerald

His recent Mack Avenue releases were just as good as his PJ material

[GA Russell]

For those of you with Amazon Prime, I see that Prime Music has quite a number of Gerald's recording, but (I think) none from Pacific Jazz.

PS - Re PJ: I see three tracks total available from his You Better believe It! and Moment of Truth albums.

Edited September 11, 2014 by GA Russell

[sidewinder]

what a wonderfully fulfilled life - one of my faves - will miss you Gerald

His recent Mack Avenue releases were just as good as his PJ material

The quality of his late recordings was extraordinary, considering his age. Agree that they are every bit as good as the PJ material on the Mosaic set.

[alankin]

I think the quality of his late recordings was good, even not considering his age.

[Rooster_Ties]

So, what are THE one or two "must have" post-PJ Gerald Wilson led dates to own? (I have the Mosaic, but that's it.)

[sidewinder]

'Theme For Monterey' would be one..

[John Tapscott]

It's hard to answer Rooster's q, because Gerald's post PJ recordings are so darn consistent. All of them are worthy of attention and all contain some compelling music, no matter what the label - Trend/Discovery, Mama, Mack Ave.

You certainly couldn't go wrong with sidewinder's choice of "Theme for Monterey". I would add this one as a personal favorite (not that it's necessarily 'better" than others), but it really appeals to me.

Edited September 11, 2014 by John Tapscott

[bluesoul]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/10/arts/music/gerald-wilson-versatile-jazz-arranger-is-dead-at-96.html?src=me

[Justin V]

I only have one of his albums, In My Time, which I bought shortly after it was released. Despite enjoying that album, I somehow missed the premiere of Wilson's Detroit at the Detroit Jazz Festival 5 years ago and an appearance the following year. Although he recorded a lot over the length of his career, I'll forever regret not seeing him perform live. In an attempt to catch up on his recorded work, I've ordered a stray disc from his Mosaic set (with California Soul and Eternal Equinox). His son is a talented guitarist, composer and arranger, so Gerald Wilson's legacy will also continue on through Anthony. Thank you for the music, Mr. Wilson, and rest in peace.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Justin V

[ejp626]

I wouldn't say I was particularly aware of Gerald Wilson (a bit off my radar) but when he was playing the Chicago Jazz Festival (this was probably the 2008 edition) some folks on the board said to make sure not to miss his orchestra. So I went.

It was a fun set, which ran a bit long, and they even brought out a cake at the end, as it was his birthday. He had composed a Chicago suite for the festival, though I don't think he recorded it, the way that he did for Detroit. I could be wrong there.

RIP

[sidewinder]

Those albums for Albert Marx's Discovery/Trend labels shouldn't be forgotten about either - 'Lomelin', 'Jenna' and 'Calafia'. In terms of style, they bridge the gap between the 60s PJ stuff and the more recent releases. Many of the original lineup were still on-board at that stage too in the 'Orchestra of the 80s' (and the subsequent '90s' one, which I caught live).

That 90s band opened up with 'Viva Tirado' - unforgettable impact.

Edited September 12, 2014 by sidewinder

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Is the DIscovery/Trend material available nowadays?

MG

[BFrank]

So, what are THE one or two "must have" post-PJ Gerald Wilson led dates to own? (I have the Mosaic, but that's it.)

"In My Time" is one, for sure.

[sidewinder]

Is the DIscovery/Trend material available nowadays?

MG

Probably just on second hand CDs and LPs. They crop up quite a lot on ebay.

[johnblitweiler]

Gerald Wilson arranged these. Ray Charles is the pianist and the band and record label are his.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Well, I never knew Gerald arranged 'River's invitation'. I thought Hank Crawford did those arrangements. But the name of the arranger was never mentioned on the label of the 45 I had or the LP I've got.

A wonderful record - I always loved the idea of making a bossa nova out of a very slow blues

MG

[johnblitweiler]

Hank Crawford wrote maybe half of the arrangements on the Tangerine sessions, Gerald Wilson did the rest. To me "Never Say Naw" is an especially affecting Crawford setting.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Thank you, John. It would be interesting to know which was done by whom. Is it published anywhere?

MG

[johnblitweiler]

As I recall, the program booklet with the Mayfield Complete Tangerines CD said who arranged what.

[paul secor]

As far as I can see, the Tangerine booklet lists Gerald Wilson as arranger on "River's Invitation", "Cookin' in Style", "The Hunt Is On", and "You Don't Exist No More". Again, as far as I see, no other arrangers are listed. Checked my LP copy of My Jug and I , and there are no arranger's credits there.