Gerald Wilson Orchestra

New York, New Sound

Mack Ave Records MAC 1009

Milestones; Blues For The Count; Equinox; Viva Tirado; Blues For Yna Yna; Theme For Monterey; M Capetillo; Josefina; Nancy Jo (75.40)

Gerald Wilson conducting Orchesrta including Clark Terry, Jon Faddis, Kenny Barron, Jimmy Heath, Renee Rosnes and Stix Hooper.

At the age of eighty-five years, Gerald Wilson should be better known for the considerable input that he has made on the West Coast among the big band fraternity.

Before the second World War, Gerald earned his musical spurs playing trumpet with the popular jimmy Lunceford band. As an arranger he replaced Sy Oliver with the same band, It was from the Lunceford Band that he moved to the West Coast and embarked on a hiqhly successful career which has culminated with this present CD.

For his latest artistic work Gerald has to his roots gathering together some of the most prestigious musicians in New York, Among the many soloists are the great Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Jesse Davis and tenorists Jimmy Heath and Frank Wess. One of the chief soloists is Gerald's son Anthony Wilson, who has recently toured with Canadian superstar Diana Krall and is playing to the high standard you might expect from such a well-bred progeny.

This current recording is exciting, tuneful, well arranged and full of well-conceived solos from some of the senior Jazz musicians of today - as such it is well recommended.

by Al Merritt