Gerald Wilson Orchestra
New York, New Sound (Mack Avenue)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Gerald Wilson isn't one of the most widely known names in jazz, but he's one of the jazz world's greatest treasures. With a career that spans over sixty years, his performance credits as a trumpeter include time served with Jimmy Lunceford, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and, of course, his own big band. As an arranger, he's worked with all of the above, along with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles and many others. There's simply no keeping track of the scores of musicians who've performed his compositions, but they include the members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, for whom Zubin Mehta commissioned a classical piece by the great jazzman. He's been on the faculty of Cal State LA, Cal State Northridge and now UCLA, teaching jazz history from the perspective of a man who has lived it.

New York, New Sound finds Wilson in his 85th year, leading a new big band created for the project which features many of the greatest Big Apple players, old and new. Among the featured soloists are Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Jesse Davis, Jimmy Heath and Oscar Castro-Neves. Wilson arranged and conducted a program including big band charts for Miles Davis' "Milestones" and John Coltrane's "Equinox," as well as eight of his original compositions. Every track is a triumph, deeply rooted in the finest traditions and yet thoroughly modern in impact. Whether it's blues, swing or a Latin groove, Wilson's charts cut to the soul of each song and his leadership allows his all-star cast of soloists to shine.

"Masterpiece" is a great big word, but this is a great big album by a very great man. He is, in fact, a master, and this is, in fact, a masterpiece.

Track List:

Milestones * Blues For The Count * Equinox * Viva Tirado * Teri * Blues For Yna Yna * Theme For Monterey * M Capetillo * Josefina * Nancy Jo

© 2003 - Shaun Dale