Jack Wilson (jazz pianist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Wilson
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| Background information | |
| Born | August 3, 1936 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 5, 2007 (aged 71) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Labels | Atlantic, Blue Note, Discovery |
Jack Wilson (born August 3, 1936, died October 5, 2007) was an American jazz musician. He was a talented pianist and also wrote music. He played with many famous artists and led his own bands.
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About Jack Wilson
Early Life and Music
Jack Wilson was born in Chicago in 1936. When he was seven, his family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. From 1949 to 1954, Jack learned to play piano. His teacher was Carl Atkinson at the Fort Wayne College of Music. This is where he first heard the music of another famous pianist, George Shearing.
Jack also learned to play the tenor saxophone. He played in his high school band. He also started his own small music groups and performed around town. By the time he was 15, Jack made history. He became the youngest person to join the Fort Wayne Musicians Union. When he was 17, Jack got a big chance. He played piano for two weeks with the famous James Moody's band.
After high school, Jack went to Indiana University. There, he met other future jazz stars like Freddie Hubbard and Slide Hampton. He later toured with a rock 'n' roll band. This led him to Columbus, Ohio, where he met singers Nancy Wilson and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
Becoming a Professional Musician
After a year in Columbus, Jack moved to Atlantic City. He led the house band at the Cotton Club. Here, he also started playing the organ. At the club, he met the legendary singer Dinah Washington. Jack played with her band from 1957 to 1958.
Jack then returned to Chicago. He played with many jazz greats like Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, and Eddie Harris. His longest job there was at the Persian Lounge. He played with bassist Richard Evans. Jack made his first recording as a sideman on Richard Evans' album Richard's Almanac in 1959.
Later, Jack joined the Army. He became the first Black music director for the Third Army Area. He played tenor saxophone in the army band. In 1961, Jack left the Army due to health reasons. He rejoined Dinah Washington's band from 1961 to 1962. A fellow musician, Buddy Collette, encouraged him to move to Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Jack worked with many famous artists. These included Gerald Wilson, Lou Donaldson, Herbie Mann, and Jackie McLean. He was often in recording studios. He also worked on music for films and television. He played with stars like Sammy Davis Jr., Sarah Vaughan, Lou Rawls, and Sonny & Cher. He even wrote the title song for Earl Anderza's album Outa Sight! in 1962. In 1965, Jack recorded an album called Jack Wilson Plays Brazilian Mancini. He worked with the famous Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Jobim.
Leading His Own Band
In 1963, Jack Wilson recorded his first album as a bandleader. It was called The Jack Wilson Quartet Featuring Roy Ayers. This album was released by Atlantic Records. One of the songs, "Jackleg," was very lively. He recorded another album for Atlantic and three for Vault Records.
Then, he was invited to record for the famous Blue Note label. This led to three more albums, including Easterly Winds in 1967. After his last Blue Note recording in 1968, Jack focused on working with singer Esther Phillips.
In 1977, Jack recorded Innovations. This was the first of three albums for Discovery. He also started working as a sideman again. He played with artists like Lorez Alexandria and Eddie Harris into the 1980s.
In 1985, Jack moved to New York City. Jazz pianist Barry Harris helped him. Jack performed with Harris at the Jazz Cultural Theater. He continued to play in New York for several years. His final recording session was in 1993. It was called In New York and featured the legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb.
Jack Wilson passed away on October 5, 2007.
Jack Wilson's Music
Jack Wilson recorded many albums as a leader and with other musicians. Here are some of his notable works:
Albums as a Leader
- The Jack Wilson Quartet featuring Roy Ayers (Atlantic, 1963)
- The Two Sides of Jack Wilson (Atlantic, 1964)
- The Jazz Organs (Vault, 1964)
- Jack Wilson Plays Brazilian Mancini (Vault, 1965)
- Ramblin' (Vault, 1966)
- Something Personal (Blue Note, 1966)
- Easterly Winds (Blue Note, 1967)
- Song for My Daughter (Blue Note, 1969)
- Autumn Sunset (Discovery, 1977)
- Innovations (Discovery, 1977)
- Margo's Theme (Discovery, 1979)
- In New York (DIW, 1993)
Albums with Other Artists
- With Curtis Amy: Katanga! (Pacific Jazz, 1963)
- With Earl Anderza: Outa Sight (Pacific Jazz, 1962)
- With Roy Ayers: Virgo Vibes (Atlantic, 1967)
- With Clark Terry: Memories of Duke (Pablo Today, 1980)
- With Gerald Wilson:
- Moment of Truth (Pacific Jazz, 1962)
- Portraits (Pacific Jazz, 1964)
- On Stage (Pacific Jazz, 1965)
- The Golden Sword (Pacific Jazz, 1966)
- Live and Swinging (Pacific Jazz, 1967)
- Everywhere (Pacific Jazz, 1968)
