Wilton Felder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilton Felder
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Felder in 1978
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wilton Lewis Felder |
| Born | August 31, 1940 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 27, 2015 (aged 75) Whittier, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Saxophone, bass |
| Years active | 1959–2015 |
| Associated acts | The Crusaders |
Wilton Lewis Felder (born August 31, 1940 – died September 27, 2015) was an American musician. He was famous for playing the saxophone and bass guitar. Wilton Felder was a founding member of a popular band called The Jazz Crusaders, which later became known as The Crusaders.
He also played bass on many hit songs for other artists. For example, he played on the Jackson 5's famous songs "I Want You Back" and "ABC". He also played on Marvin Gaye's hit "Let's Get It On".
Contents
Wilton Felder's Musical Journey
Wilton Felder was born in Houston, Texas, on August 31, 1940. He loved music from a young age and studied it at Texas Southern University.
Starting The Jazz Crusaders
While still in high school in Houston, Wilton Felder and his friends Wayne Henderson, Joe Sample, and Stix Hooper decided to form a band. They called themselves The Jazz Crusaders.
At first, they played traditional jazz music. But over time, their sound changed. They started mixing jazz with rock music and soul music. This new style became known as jazz-rock fusion. Wilton Felder played with this group for more than 30 years. He was a very important part of their unique sound.
A Busy Studio Musician
Besides playing with The Crusaders, Wilton Felder was also a very busy "session musician". This means he was hired to play instruments on other artists' songs in a recording studio. He mostly played the electric bass.
He worked with many famous soul and R&B artists. When Motown Records opened a studio in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, Wilton Felder was one of their main bass players.
Playing on Hit Songs
Wilton Felder played bass on some of the biggest songs of his time.
- He played on the Jackson 5's hits like "I Want You Back", "ABC", and "The Love You Save".
- He also played on Marvin Gaye's songs, including "Let's Get It On" and "I Want You".
- He contributed to albums by Billy Joel, such as Piano Man and Streetlife Serenade.
- He also played on Steely Dan's album Pretzel Logic.
- Other famous artists he worked with include Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, and Joan Baez.
His Own Music and Instruments
Wilton Felder also released his own solo albums. One of his albums, Secrets, was quite popular in the UK in 1985.
He used specific instruments to create his sound. For his saxophone, he played a King Super 20 tenor sax. For bass guitar, he often used a Fender Telecaster Bass and Aria bass guitars.
Later Life and Legacy
Wilton Felder passed away on September 27, 2015, at his home in Whittier, California. He was 75 years old. He died from a type of cancer called multiple myeloma. His music continues to inspire many musicians and fans around the world.
Discography
Wilton Felder released many albums both as a solo artist and with The Crusaders. He also played on countless recordings for other musicians.
Albums as a Leader
- Bullitt (1969)
- Secrets (1985)
- Love Is a Rush (1987)
Albums with The (Jazz) Crusaders
Wilton Felder was a key member of The Jazz Crusaders, who released many albums. Some of their notable albums include:
- Freedom Sound (1961)
- The Jazz Crusaders at the Lighthouse (1962)
- Heat Wave (1963)
- Uh Huh (1967)
- Powerhouse (1969)
Images for kids
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Wilton Felder in 1978
See also
In Spanish: Wilton Felder para niños
