Gerald Wilson Discography COMPILED by JÜRGEN WÖLFER

Now available Gerald Wilson Discography COMPILED BY JÜRGEN WÖLFER

Gerald Stanley (‘Ruff’) Wilson, composer, leader, trumpeter, was born in Shelby, Mississippi on September 4, 1918. After showing an early interest in piano, he switched to trumpet while at Manassas High School. Then, in mid-1939, he joined the Jimmie Lunceford band where he had the unenviable job of replacing Sy Oliver. In October of 1944 Wilson organized his first band. He turned the band into one of the first large ensembles to incorporate the new language of Bebop, with such top-flight players as trumpeters Snooky Young, Jack Trainor and Teddy Buckner, trombonist Melba Liston and pianists Vivian Fears and Jimmy Bunn. Much of his best known work was done as arranger and conductor for singers in a series of albums, including Al Hibbler, Bobby Darin, Johnny Hartman and Julie London. In 1971, he composed Viva Tirado, a recording of it by El Chicano became a hit and received a BMI award as one of the most popular songs of the year. In 1972, he wrote a classical piece titled 5/2/72, which was performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under Zubin Mehta. In later years, he contributed to work in the classical field, arranging and orchestrating four more works for the L.A. Philharmonic, as well for its 250 voice choir with a performance in 1975. In 1976, Gerald Wilson directed the All-Star Festival band at Monterey in a program of music that recalled the Lunceford band of the 30s and early 40s. In 1977 he continued his association with Monterey when he directed the premiere of his The Happy Birthday Monterey Suite, commissioned for the Festival. His orchestras have continued to present his own music, compositions and arrangements, and featured top class musicians, both veterans and newcomers, in well-rehearsed, effective performances. A sound, if little known trumpet player in his earlier years, Wilson’s contributions to jazz lies in the many fine bands he has led, in the example he has set by his undiminished en- thusiasm and impeccable high standards of musicianship and, perhaps most important of all, in his distinctive writing. This discography covers everything from Gerald Wilson’s debut with Jimmie Lunceford in 1939 up to his most recent CD of 2011. The work is thoroughly indexed with alphabetical lists of Records and Videos (in all formats), Musicians, and Song Titles. The discography is preceded by a biography of Gerald Wilson.

This work is a wirobound book with 168, size 14.5×21 cm pages. Price € 27.50 (plus tax, postage and handling). ISBN/EAN 978-90-77260-00-5.