Jack Wilkins

Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been a part of the international jazz scene for more than four decades. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Rich and many others.

A native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at age ten.His mentors included Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Johnny Smith

Windows, his first album as a leader (Mainstream, 1973,) also available in transcription published by Hal Leonard Corporation, has been critically acclaimed as a dazzling, seminal guitar trio work.

Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been a part of the international jazz scene for more than four decades. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Rich and many others.

A native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at age ten.His mentors included Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Johnny Smith

Windows, his first album as a leader (Mainstream, 1973,) also available in transcription published by Hal Leonard Corporation, has been critically acclaimed as a dazzling, seminal guitar trio work.

Later recordings, Merge, Mexico, Call Him Reckless, Alien Army, Keep in Touch,Heading North, Bluesin', and his latest cd Reunion, feature the Brecker Brothers,Al Foster, Phil Woods, Kenny Drew, Jr., and many others. Project G7, a two CD set tribute to Wes Montgomery, features peerless chordal creativity by Wilkins.

In recent years, Wilkins has played at many festivals and played with jazz greats including Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, The Mingus Epitaph, 5 Guitars play Mingus (primary arranger) and bassist Eddie Gomez.

A consummate accompanist, Wilkins has played and recorded with renowned singers, Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano and Jay Clayton. Wilkins was awarded an NEA grant in recognition of his work and contribution to the guitar. He has been widely and prominently profiled and featured in such publications as Guitar Player, Just Jazz Guitar, Downbeat, 20th Century Guitar and Leonard Feather's Jazz Encyclopedia. Recently Wilkins was invited to the Smithsonian Institution to be part of the Blue Guitars exhibit, and appeared on the P.S.I. first live jazz internet concert. He was also featured as part of the J.V.C. festival tributes to Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel.

Wilkins lives in Manhattan. He teaches at The New School, N.Y.U., Long Island University, and Manhattan School of Music. He was recently invited to judge the Monk Institute Guitar Competitions in Washington. He also conducts seminars and guitar clinics, both in New York and abroad.

His Latest CD's, “Reunion”, the DVD, “The Benedetto Players in Concert”, “The Benedetto Players and Guild Jazzmasters,, and the CD Christmas Jazz Guitar, are all currently available.