International Archives For The Jazz Organ (IAJO) - The Jazz Organ Scene USA

Jack Wilson

Jack (* 1936 in Chicago, IL) studied, from 1949 to 1954, piano with Carl Atkinson at the Fort Wayne College of Music. It was during this time that he was introduced to the music of George Shearing. Later picking up tenor saxophone, Jack played in the Central High School band and began performing locally as a leader of small combos. By his fifteenth birthday, he had become the youngest member ever to join the Fort Wayne Musicians Union (Local 58). At the age of 17 he played a two-week stint as a substitute pianist in James Moody's band.

After graduating from Central High, Jack spent a year and a half at Indiana University, encountering Freddie Hubbard and Slide Hampton. Touring with a rock 'n' roll band, he wound up in Columbus, OH, connecting with the then unknown Nancy Wilson and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. After a year in Columbus, Wilson moved to Atlantic City, leading the house band at the Cotton Club, now adding organ to his musical arsenal. At the Club he encountered Dinah Washington, with whom he worked from 1957 to 1958.

Returning to Chicago, Jack played with Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris and Al Hibbler. His longest gig there was at the Persian Lounge with bassist Richard Evans, with whom Jack made his recording debut as a sideman on Richard's Almanac (1959). Drafted into the Army, he went to Fort Stewart, Georgia, and became the first Black music director for the Third Army Area, playing tenor saxophone in the army band.

In 1961, Jack received an honorable medical discharge. He returned to Dinah Washington's band from 1961 to 1962. Encouraged by Buddy Collette, he moved to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, Wilson worked for Gerald Wilson, Lou Donaldson, Herbie Mann, Jackie McLean and Johnny Griffin. Frequently in and out of the studio for recording, film and television work, he did stints with Sammy Davis jr, Sarah Vaughan, Lou Rawls, Eartha Kitt, Julie London, as well as Sonny & Cher.

In 1963 Jack recorded his first album as a leader, The Jack Wilson Quartet Featuring Roy Ayers. After his final Blue Note session in 1968, Wilson focused on work with vocalist Esther Phillips until 1977, when he recorded Innovations, the first of three record dates for the Los Angeles-based Discovery label. This also brought about a return to sideman work with Lorez Alexandria, Tutti Camarata and Eddie Harris well into the 1980s.

In 1985, Jack relocated to New York City with the help of jazz pianist Barry Harris and appeared in duo performance with Harris at the Jazz Cultural Theater on 01 February 1985. Jack continued to work for several years in New York City. Wilson's final recording session, simply titled In New York, took place on 04 June 1993 and featured legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb. Jack died in 2007.

from Wikipedia

Today, Tomorrow, Forever Capitol Records ST 2082 released 1964 recorded February 1964 in Hollywood, CA/USA	Nancy Wilson, vocals Bill Perkins, tenor sax Lou Blackburn, trombone John Gray, guitar Lou Levy, celeste, piano Jack Wilson, organ, piano Bill Plummer, bass Kenny Dennis, drums Milt Holland, percussion
On Stage Pacific Jazz PJ-88 released 1965 recorded January and March 1965 in Hollywood, CA and Los Angeles, CA/US	Gerald Wilson, conductor, trumpet Curtis Amy, reeds Teddy Edwards, reeds Harold Hand, reeds, flute Harold Land, reeds Jack Nimitz, reeds Anthony Ortega, reeds Bob Edmondson, trombone John Ewing, trombone Al Porcino, trumpet Les Robertson, trombone Don Switzer, trombone Earnie Tack, trombone Bobby Bryant, trumpet Jules Chaikin, trumpet Freddie Hill, trumpet Nat Meeks, trumpet Mel Moore, trumpet Bud Shank, reeds, flute Teddy Edwards, flute Jack Nimitz, flute Anthony Ortega, flute Joe Pass, guitar Phil Moore jr., piano Jack Wilson, organ, piano Roy Ayers, vibes Herbie Lewis, bass Victor Gaskin, bass Chuck Carter, drums
Tutti's Trombones Coliseum DS 51000 released 1966 recorded in Hollywood, CA/USA	Tutti Camarata, conductor Dick Nash, trombone Frank Rosolino, trombone Gil Falco, trombone Herbie Harper, trombone Hoyt Bohannon, trombone Joe Howard, trombone Lloyd Ulyate, trombone Tommy Pederson, trombone Ernie Tack, bass trombone Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone Allan Reuss, guitar Ray Crawford, guitar Tommy Tedesco, guitar Bobby Hammack, piano, organ Jackie Wilson, piano, organ Cliff Hils, bass Red Mitchell, bass Bill Pitman, bass Hal Blaine, drums Irv Cottler, drums
Live And Swinging Pacific Jazz ST-20118 released 1967 recorded live 31 March and 1-2 April 1967 at Marty's-On-The-Hill in Los Angeles, CA/USA	Gerald Wilson, conductor Ray Bojorquez, alto sax Anthony Ortega, alto sax Hadley Caliman, tenor sax Harold Land, tenor sax Howard Johnson, baritone sax, tuba Mike Barone, trombone Thurman Green, trombone Lester Robertson, trombone Don Switzer, trombone Gary Barone, trumpet Dick Forest, trumpet Larry McGuire, trumpet Al Porcino, trumpet Alex Rodriguez, trumpet Charles Tolliver, trumpet Phil Moore III, piano Jack Wilson, organ William "Buddy" Woodson, bass Carl Lott, drums
Everywhere World Pacific Jazz ST-10132 released 1968 recorded December 1967 and January 1968	Gerald Wilson, conductor Ramon Bojorquez, alto sax Henry DeVega, alto sax Anthony Ortega, alto sax, flute, alto flute Hadley Caliman, tenor sax Harold Land, tenor saxophone Richard Aplanalp, baritone saxophone Gary Barone, trumpet Bobby Bryant, trumpet Dick Forrest, trumpet Steve Huffsteter, trumpet Bill Mattison, trumpet Alex Rodriguez, trumpet Thurman Green, trombone Lester Robertson, trombone Frank Strong, trombone Mike Wimberly, bass trombone William Green, flute, piccolo flute Joe Pass, guitar Bobby Hutcherson, vibes Jack Wilson, piano, organ Stanley Gilbert, bass Buddy Woodson, bass Frank Butler, drums Carl Lott, drums Moises Obligacion, congas Hugh Anderson, percussion
The Best Of Gerald Wilson World Pacific Jazz ST-20174 compilation released 1970	Gerald Wilson Orchestra Teddy Edwards, tenor sax Carmen Jones, trumpet Bud Shank, alto sax Joe Pass, guitar Jack Wilson, organ

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