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Steve Wilson

Steve Wilson has attained ubiquitous status in the studio and on the stage with the greatest names in jazz. A bandleader in his own right, Jazz Times calls him the consummate saxophonist-composer and one of the finest alto and soprano saxophonists of our time. A musicians musician, Wilson has brought his distinctive sound to more than 100 recordings led by such celebrated and wide-ranging artists as Chick Corea, George Duke, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Dianne Reeves, Bill Bruford, Gerald Wilson, Maria Schneider, Joe Henderson, Charlie Byrd, Billy Childs, Karrin Allyson, Don Byron, Bill Stewart, James Williams, and Mulgrew Miller among many others. Wilson has eight recordings under his own name, leading and collaborating with such stellar musicians as Lewis Nash, Carl Allen, Steve Nelson, Cyrus Chestnut, Greg Hutchinson, Dennis Irwin, James Genus, Larry Grenadier, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley, Nicholas Payton, Orrin Evans, Ugonna Okegwo and Bill Stewart.

In 2015 Wilson released his first project as a leader in 12 years, Steve Wilson & Wilsonians Grain: Live in New York: The Vanguard Sessions, on Random Act Records. Recorded live at the famed Village Vanguard in NYC on May 24 & 25, 2014, the recording features Wilsons potent quartet with Orrin Evans, Ugonna Okegwo and Bill Stewart. The CD was conceived to truly capture the live experience and the sound of one of the best listening rooms in the world. The tracking order reflects a Wilsonians Grain set, and includes three Wilson originals, and tunes by Orrin Evans, Joe Chambers, Thelonius Monk and Migiwa Miyajima. WBGO Radio describes Wilsonians Grain as jazz at its finest in conception, execution and spontaneity.

He has recorded another project, Sit Back Relax & Unwind, for JMI Records that features Ray Angry, Ben Williams and Willie Jones, III just recently released. In the vein of the old CTI recordings, it is an analog recording and will be released a vinyl LP only. Produced by Steven Mandel (Music Supervisor the The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Roots), he also contributed four tunes that were arranged by Wilson. There are two new tunes by Wilson and an arrangement by Ray Angry of David Bowies Space Oddity.

Starting his formal training on saxophone in his native Hampton, Virginia, Wilson also played oboe and drums in school bands while performing in various R&B/funk bands throughout his teens. After a year-long stint with singer Stephanie Mills he decided to major in music at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where he performed and/or studied with Jimmy and Percy Heath, Jon Hendricks, Jaki Byard, John Hicks, Frank Foster and Ellis Marsalis. During those years he was also in constant demand for recording studio work, and as backing musician for touring shows such as The Four Tops and Sophisticated Ladies. Landing a chair with O.T.B (Out of the Blue), a sextet of promising young players recording on Blue Note Records, Wilson moved to New York in 1987 and the following year toured the U.S. and Europe with Lionel Hampton. Becoming a first-call choice for veteran and emerging artists alike, Wilson was the subject of a New York Times profile A Sidemans Life, highlighting his work with Ralph Peterson, Jr., Michele Rosewoman, Renee Rosnes, Marvin Smitty Smith, Joanne Brackeen, The American Jazz Orchestra, The Mingus Big Band, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Leon Parker, and Buster Williams Quintet Something More. In 1996 he joined the acclaimed Dave Holland Quintet, and from 1998-2001 he was a member of Chick Coreas Grammy winning sextet Origin.

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Album Review

Miho Hazama M_Unit: Beyond Orbits

Read "Beyond Orbits" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Uno degli eventi al Monterey Jazz Festival del 2021 è stato il concerto dell'M_Unit di Miho Hazama, la giovane compositrice e bandleader giapponese che s'è imposta tra le figure più innovative della sua generazione. In quell'occasione Hazama ha presentato la suite in tre movimenti “Exoplanet" che--incisa poi in studio--costituisce il fulcro del disco appena pubblicato dalla Edition Records. Chi conosce i suoi lavori di questi anni, sa quanto la scrittura della bandleader risulti coinvolgente per l'abilità di ...

12
Album Review

Miho Hazama's M_Unit: Beyond Orbits

Read "Beyond Orbits" reviewed by Chris May


Beyond Orbits is the fêted composer and conductor Miho Hazama's fourth album with M_Unit. She founded the band in 2012, two years after moving from Tokyo to New York and while she was still studying for a masters in jazz composition at the Manhattan School of Music. Hazama released M_Unit's first album in 2013. The band's third, Dancer In Nowhere (Sunnyside, 2019), was nominated for a Grammy. Among her other achievements, Hazama was in 2019 appointed chief ...

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Album Review

John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard

Read "Grooveyard" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Composer/arranger John La Barbera has been at the top of his game for more than half a century, and Grooveyard is simply another example of his undiminished artistry. Besides arranging everything--superbly, as always--La Barbera wrote six of the session's ten charming songs, escorting other treasures by Carl Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Curtis Fuller and Elvin Jones. As he writes his handsome and colorful big-band charts, La Barbera is always careful to observe Rule No. 1: they have to ...

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Album Review

Pete McCann: Without Question

Read "Without Question" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Guitarist and composer Pete McCann pulls out all the stops on Without Question, his seventh album as leader, unveiling his singular talents on everything from burners ("Without Question," “Trifecta") to ballads ("I Can Remember," “January," “Lost City"), blues ("Blues for O.M."), burlesque ("Conspiracy Theory"), biting commentary ("Erase the Hate") and borrowed themes ("Lovely Thing"). McCann, a native of Wisconsin who has been a fixture on the New York scene for more than thirty years, is also smart--smart enough, that is, ...

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Liner Notes

Bill Bruford: The Summerfold Collection 1987-2008

Read "Bill Bruford: The Summerfold Collection 1987-2008" reviewed by John Kelman


Intrepid percussionist/composer/bandleader Bill Bruford began his career in the late '60s art-rock arena with Yes and, later, King Crimson, but jazz has always moved underneath, like an eddying current. His early recordings, well documented on the companion Winterfold Collection, may not speak the language of jazz, but they possess its spirit. By 1986, Bruford was looking for a new path. Crimson had again dissolved, the 1981-'84 incarnation having provided him with the opportunity to explore nascent electronic drum ...

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Album Review

The John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard

Read "Grooveyard" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


The geometry, if you will, of a terrific big band recording is such that the three major elements--the players, the arrangements, and the performance--balance in every regard. Grooveyard from the John La Barbera Big Band is such an offering. The album features ten masterfully selected, arranged, and performed selections, each containing outstanding section, solo, and ensemble playing. Wes Montgomery's “Grooveyard" launches a hip, swinging first course in which tenor man Pat La Barbera and guitarist Brandon Coleman ...

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Album Review

Noah Haidu: Standards

Read "Standards" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Forty years after the renowned Standards Trio comprised of Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette released its debut album, Standards, Vol. 1, New York-based pianist Noah Haidu pays his respects with a similarly named enterprise (sans volume number) featuring bassists Buster Williams or Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash, with saxophonist Steve Wilson making it a quartet on four numbers. The Standards Trio's body of work “brought me inspiration, solace and happiness," Haidu writes in the ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Steve Wilson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Steve Wilson

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Steve Wilson's birthday today!

Steve Wilson has attained ubiquitous status in the studio and on the stage with the greatest names in jazz. A bandleader in his own right, Jazz Times calls him the consummate saxophonist-composer and one of the finest alto and soprano saxophonists of our time. A musicians musician, Wilson has brought his distinctive sound to more than 100 recordings led by such celebrated and wide-ranging artists as Chick Corea, George Duke, Michael ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Steve Wilson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Steve Wilson

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Steve Wilson's birthday today!

Steve Wilson has attained ubiquitous status in the studio and on the stage with the greatest names in jazz. A bandleader in his own right, Jazz Times calls him the consummate saxophonist-composer and one of the finest alto and soprano saxophonists of our time. A musicians musician, Wilson has brought his distinctive sound to more than 100 recordings led by such celebrated and wide-ranging artists as Chick Corea, George Duke, Michael ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Steve Wilson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Steve Wilson

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Steve Wilson's birthday today!

Steve Wilson has attained ubiquitous status in the studio and on the stage with the greatest names in jazz. A bandleader in his own right, Jazz Times calls him the consummate saxophonist-composer and one of the finest alto and soprano saxophonists of our time. A musicians musician, Wilson has brought his distinctive sound to more than 100 recordings led by such celebrated and wide-ranging artists as Chick Corea, George Duke, Michael ...

7

Performance / Tour

Pianist James Collins With Steve Wilson, Victor Lewis & More - April 10 In Philadelphia - One Night Only - Free!

Pianist James Collins With Steve Wilson, Victor Lewis & More - April 10 In Philadelphia - One Night Only - Free!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Rising Star Pianist James Collins April 10, 3pm. FREE! Featuring: Steve Wilson Victor Lewis David Wong Noah Hocker First Presbyterian Church 35 West Chelten Ave. Philadelphia, PA 1914 (215) 843-8811 About James Collins James Collins is a young up-and-coming jazz pianist and composer in the jny: Philadelphia area. Born into a musical family, James was exposed to great music of all genres from a ...

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Contest

Enter the "Steve Wilson/Lewis Nash - Duologue" Giveaway!

Enter the "Steve Wilson/Lewis Nash - Duologue" Giveaway!

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the MCG Jazz “Steve Wilson/Lewis Nash - Duologue“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on September 22nd. Click here to enter the contest (Tracking Steve Wilson at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.) Good luck! Your Friends at MCG Jazz About Duologue Saxophone. Drums. That’s it. A fearless confidence, bold daring and a serious sense of playfulness mark Duologue, released on ...

Performance / Tour

Steve Wilson Returns To The Village Vanguard, December 4-9, Joined By Pianist Renee Rosnes And Bassist Peter Washington

Steve Wilson Returns To The Village Vanguard, December 4-9, Joined By Pianist Renee Rosnes And Bassist Peter Washington

Source: Seth Cohen PR

Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson will headline a week at the legendary Village Vanguard in New York City, December 4th through 9th, 2012. Wilson will be joined by pianist Renee Rosnes and by bassist Peter Washington. The collaborative, co-led trio first performed together at Kitano in NYC, a two-night sold-out visit which Wilson fondly recalls as “one of the best musical experiences I've ever had." This collaborative trio, which first played at Kitano in NYC, is looking forward to playing ...

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Performance / Tour

Steve Wilson Sets "Super Band" Tour for April, with Patrice Rushen, James Genus and Billy Kilson

Steve Wilson Sets "Super Band" Tour for April, with Patrice Rushen, James Genus and Billy Kilson

Source: Seth Cohen PR

Steve Wilson Injects Some Funk with 'Super Band' Tour in April; Four Nights at Jazz Standard in NY are Confirmed, as are Shows in D.C. and VA Wilson Hits His Stride, Builds New Collaborations for 2012 Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson aims to 'get funky' with his Super Band tour, set for April.  The Steve Wilson Super Band features Patrice Rushen on piano and keyboard, James Genus on bass and Billy Kilson on drums. The tour will begin with a ...

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Performance / Tour

Saxophonist Steve Wilson to Perform with the William Paterson Jazz Orchestra on March 4

Saxophonist Steve Wilson to Perform with the William Paterson Jazz Orchestra on March 4

Source: Michael Ricci

Jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson will join the William Paterson University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Pete McGuinness on Sunday, March 4 on the University's in Wayne as part of the Spring 2012 Jazz Room Series. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts on the campus. Prior to the concert, Wilson will be the guest for “Sittin' In," an informal discussion about jazz, at 3 p.m. in room 101 of Shea Center. Tickets ...

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Performance / Tour

Steve Wilson Plans New CD for 2012; Earns Raves for Sold out Kennedy Center Concerts

Steve Wilson Plans New CD for 2012; Earns Raves for Sold out Kennedy Center Concerts

Source: Seth Cohen PR

With Four Sold-Out Shows at Kennedy Center Jazz Club, NPR Coverage, and Rave Previews & Reviews, Steve Wilson Continues to Build a Remarkable Career New CD Planned for 2012 Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson recently opened the 2011/2012 season at Kennedy Center Jazz Club with four sold-out sets, live coverage by NPR, rave previews & reviews and more. Wilson continues to sculpt an impressive career as a headliner, sideman, educator and jazz historian, and remains one of the most well-liked, ...

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Event

Steve Wilson to Open Kennedy Center Jazz Club's 2011/12 Season with String Concerts

Steve Wilson to Open Kennedy Center Jazz Club's 2011/12 Season with String Concerts

Source: Seth Cohen PR

Steve Wilson to Open Kennedy Center Jazz Club's 2011/12 Season with String Concerts and Student Workshop Wilson Helping to Develop Next Generation of Jazz Artists by Producing and/or Performing on Upcoming CDs by Two of His Students Wilson to Appear on Upcoming Big Band CDs by Ron Carter, Christian McBride Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson is proud to announce that on October 7th and 8th, he will open the 2011/2012 season at Kennedy Center Jazz Club, with a special 'Strings' ...

Migiwa Miyajima
composer / conductor
Yuto Mitomi
saxophone, tenor

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Commitment

Self Produced
2023

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Standards

Sunnyside Records
2023

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Open City

Self Produced
2023

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Grooveyard

Origin Records
2023

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Without Question

Self Produced
2023

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Beyond Orbits

Edition Records
2023

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Grooveyard

From: Grooveyard
By Steve Wilson

Beautiful Friendship

From: Standards
By Steve Wilson

Each Hidden Joy

From: We Want All the Same Things
By Steve Wilson

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