Search - Gerald Wilson :: Artist Selects

SUPREME JAZZ ORCHESTRA!!!!!

Beverly Praiswater | 05/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm afraid one day I'm going to wake up and find out that America is deaf! It's hard for me to believe that no one has reviewed this marvelous jazz cd! This music has been around since the 60's! Full of Gerald Wilson compositions which flow like honey from one to the next, there are also some Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk standards mixed in.



Gerald Wilson is one of the most important big band leaders of the modern jazz era. He has brought the best artists together for a wonderful treat for all jazz aficionados. The talent, which reads like a "who's who" of jazz includes but is NOT limited to Joe Pass, Roy Ayers, Bud Shank, Joe Maine, Buddy Collette, Al Porcino, Mel Lewis, Jimmy Bond, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jack Nimitz, Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, Harry Klee, and Carmell Jones. All of these artists have decades of album credits in their discographies.



Positively a must for the jazz collection! Even the liner notes are a fascinating read. If you love the sound of a full jazz orchestra brimming with talent, then this one is for you too!"

Gerald Wilson's compilation

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 01/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not exactly a household name but well known in jazz circles, Gerald Wilson delivers sixteen of his best selections for your listening pleasure. They are either his arragements of classics or original compositions. Gerald Wilson is mostly known in California where he has toured but his gift is international in scope. The opening track "Blues for Yna Yna" is a swinging tune that explodes with Richard "Groove" Holmes playing some soulful organ amidst the melodic horn arrangements. All the songs are impeccable in presentaion under Wilson's guidance. My favorite songs are the ones with Latin flavor. Four are named after bullfighters or as they are properly known, matadors. Faves include "Viva Tirado" recorded and written in honor of matador Ramon Tirado has been recorded some seventeen times and is most well known by the popular rendition by El Chicano. Another song written for a matador is "Paco" and probably references the great Spanish bullfighter Paco Camino from the sixties. "El Viti" is a soft melacholoy song in honor of the Spanish matador of the same name. Probably the best of his matador inspired songs is the elegant "Carlos" written for one of the best ever to don the suit of lights, Carlos Arruza. The song has a majesty to it that is reminiscent of the pageantry and beauty of La Fiesta Brava. The horns by Harold Land and company are superb as is the vibes work by Roy Ayers who are both solo artists in their own right and have lead their own groups. The classic Wilson composition, "The Feather" and "The Serpent" (from "The Tenotihuacan Suite") taken from his choice album entitled "The Golden Sword" was inspired by his visit to Mexico City and seeing workers excavating the pyramids in the sixties. There are songs written for his family like "Josefina" in honor of his wife and "Teri" for his daughter that are silky and subdued music with fewer muscians participating. This is not your quintessential big band disc but rather an exceptional collection of songs by an extraordinary talent who needs more recognition. This is a great disc for jazz aficionados."

Solid Big Band Jazz

Carmen | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 10/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is some of the best of Gerald Wilson's music from the early 60's. Wilson was then, and still is, one of the greatest Big Band leaders, arrangers and composers!

It is too bad that he isn't a household name but if you like big band jazz then this cd is a great place to start.

It includes some of the greatest players of the time, especially those from the LA area. Harold Land, Teddy Edwards, Joe Pass, Buddy Colette, Jack Nimitz and one of my favorites, Richard "Groove" Holmes on the Hammond B3 organ!

His songs range from the smooth waltz, Blues for Yna Yna to the Latin rhythms of Viva Tirado and Paco, to the standards Round Midnight, Milestones. The songs are smooth and funky. Definitely worth the money!!"