"Last of the Lions: Gerald Wilson"

[ghost of miles]

This past weekend we did a tribute show to bandleader Gerald Wilson, who turned 90 on Sept. 4. Focusing on his 1940s and 1960s big bands, it's now archived for online listening:

Last of the Lions: Gerald Wilson

Edited September 27, 2013 by ghost of miles

[Teasing the Korean]

The track "Ravi" from his Pacific Jazz album "Portraits" is one of my signature DJ tunes.

[blajay]

I capped off my evening yesterday listening to this program. Thanks a lot, it was a pleasure!

[blajay]

I capped off my evening yesterday listening to this program. Thanks a lot, it was a pleasure!

Surprisingly, I especially enjoyed the 1940s stuff.

[BillF]

Yes, a fine show!

[ghost of miles]

Glad that you enjoyed it, Z and BillF. Yeah, the 1940s material holds up really well--I really recommend tracking down both of those Classics releases if you're into it. Again, there was a lot more music I wish I could've somehow fitted into the show...

[ghost of miles]

Up for Mr. Wilson's 91st birthday today:

Last of the Lions: Gerald Wilson

[medjuck]

I was just listening to a Jimmy Witherspoon record where he was accompanied by a small group with Ben Webster on tenor and Gerald Wilson on trumpet. Wilson's very good. (I never tnk of him except as a composer/arranger/band leader.)

[ghost of miles]

Does he take any solos on Lunceford records? (Sadly, I don't have any Lunceford from 1941 or the years after...I do have the postwar Majestics that were reissued by Savoy, but Wilson's no longer in the band, obviously.)

[fasstrack]

This past weekend we did a tribute show to bandleader Gerald Wilson, who turned 90 on Sept. 4. Focusing on his 1940s and 1960s big bands, it's now archived for online listening:

Last of the Lions: Gerald Wilson

When I saw 'past' I immediately thought---spelling notwithstanding--- I was about to read an obituary. Very glad that isn't the case. Gerald is one of the great writers, and has been for 60 years---from the days of Yard-dog Mazurka, et. al. His big band of the early 60s was a delight. I remember an interview where he got into his arranging MO, and as a composer myself I dug what he had to say. Also, I enjoy son Anthony's work---especially the duet with the late, great Nancy Lamott on P.S., I Love You (Nancy Lamott sings the lyrics of Johnny Mercer). He has a big band date also as leader, undoubtedly arranged by dad. I dug that, too. Edited September 4, 2009 by fasstrack

[BillF]

I was just listening to a Jimmy Witherspoon record where he was accompanied by a small group with Ben Webster on tenor and Gerald Wilson on trumpet. Wilson's very good. (I never tnk of him except as a composer/arranger/band leader.)

Gerald Wilson took the place of the more usual Jack Sheldon on trumpet on the Curtis Counce Group's January 6 1958 date when they recorded "So Nice", "Origin", "Bella Rosa", "Night in Tunisia", "La Rue" and "Carl's Blues".

[ghost of miles]

I was just listening to a Jimmy Witherspoon record where he was accompanied by a small group with Ben Webster on tenor and Gerald Wilson on trumpet. Wilson's very good. (I never tnk of him except as a composer/arranger/band leader.)

Gerald Wilson took the place of the more usual Jack Sheldon on trumpet on the Curtis Counce Group's January 6 1958 date when they recorded "So Nice", "Origin", "Bella Rosa", "Night in Tunisia", "La Rue" and "Carl's Blues".

I think I have that record--will have to check it out again when I get home from work tonight.

[BillF]

I was just listening to a Jimmy Witherspoon record where he was accompanied by a small group with Ben Webster on tenor and Gerald Wilson on trumpet. Wilson's very good. (I never tnk of him except as a composer/arranger/band leader.)

Gerald Wilson took the place of the more usual Jack Sheldon on trumpet on the Curtis Counce Group's January 6 1958 date when they recorded "So Nice", "Origin", "Bella Rosa", "Night in Tunisia", "La Rue" and "Carl's Blues".

I think I have that record--will have to check it out again when I get home from work tonight.

I have those tracks spread across two OJC/Contemporary albums: Carl's Blues and Sonority. You'd expect them all to be included on the recent Complete Studio Recordings: The Master Takes by Curtis Counce from Lonehill/Fresh Sound, but as is so often the case, some are omitted!

Edited September 4, 2009 by BillF

[ghost of miles]

We re-broadcast Last of the Lions this past week and it's archived for online listening.

[ghost of miles]

Up for Gerald Wilson's 95th birthday!

http://indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/last-of-the-lions-gerald-wilson/

[ghost of miles]

Up in memory, still archived for online listening:

http://indianapublicmedia.org/nightlights/last-of-the-lions-gerald-wilson/

[sidewinder]

'Last of the Lions' indeed. Feels like the end of an era.

[ghost of miles]

Yes--is there anybody else of note as a leader, composer/arranger, or soloist left? Bill Holman's still around, but he didn't come along until the early 1950s.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Clark Terry, or did I miss his departure?

MG

[ghost of miles]

Up for today's centennial:

Last Of The Lions: Gerald Wilson

 

[JSngry]

Norman Thrasher

It's collectable!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NORMAN-THRASHER-Do-Unto-Me-Never-Look-Back-triangle-label-5503-45-gerald-wilson/382613470931?hash=item59158a3ed3:g:3uoAAOSwKtlWkFBb:rk:23:pf:0