Julien Wilson

“one of the most exciting musicians in the country … vital to Australian creative music” SydneyMorningHerald

"I can hear influences as diverse as Archie Shepp, Jan Garbarek, Ben Webster, Gato Barbieri, Dave Liebman... But particularly, of Mark Simmonds, who is one of the heroes of jazz saxophone in this country" Dale Barlow

"Wilson was always the real thing, exploiting the instrument’s warmth and sonic breadth to make gripping statements. The Melbourne saxophonist arrived on a shock wave in the early ‘90s and has been vital to Australian creative music since." John Shand

Read more

“one of the most exciting musicians in the country … vital to Australian creative music” SydneyMorningHerald

"I can hear influences as diverse as Archie Shepp, Jan Garbarek, Ben Webster, Gato Barbieri, Dave Liebman... But particularly, of Mark Simmonds, who is one of the heroes of jazz saxophone in this country" Dale Barlow

"Wilson was always the real thing, exploiting the instrument’s warmth and sonic breadth to make gripping statements. The Melbourne saxophonist arrived on a shock wave in the early ‘90s and has been vital to Australian creative music since." John Shand

"Saxophonist Julien Wilson seems to be the leader musically here. His technique is prodigious and he has a wide emotional and sonic range. There are passages here where he shows his grasp of, and personal take on, avant- garde playing from the 60s on up through the present w/ gruff, free-wailing screeds which touch on ideas from Ayler through to D.S. Ware. He also has a firm grip on how to play sensitively at low volumes on more ballad-like, changes style material. Very convincing." JazzReview.com

"MELBOURNE saxophonist Julien Wilson was one of the highlights of this month’s Wangaratta Jazz Festival where, among other appearances, he launched his quartet album, This is Always. The new recording brings together a stellar group: New York-based pianist Barney McAll, Sydney bassist Jonathan Zwartz and Melbourne drummer Allan Browne. The title track opener, after McAll’s dreamy piano intro, descends deliciously into deeply moving tenor territory as Wilson delivers the theme in a beautiful re-creation of Coleman Hawkins. Then, as a perfect bass line and Browne’s subtly sophisticated brushes arrive, Wilson begins to softly explore with superb rhythmic sense, and the effect is everything a nostalgic, romantic ballad should be. ... On the Swailing collection Wilson’s well-established trio uses its rather unusual instrumentation, adding Stephen Magnusson’s expert guitar and the perfectly appropriate accordion of Steve Grant to Wilson’s reeds. Grant’s instrument offers melodic and harmonic contributions, and one of the pleasant aspects of this album is the way these components are seamlessly exchanged between guitar and accordion. These two great new albums from top-level Australian jazz players can’t fail to enjoy widespread appeal." The Australian

"In fact, it was Wilson who provided what may have been the highlight of the Festival when he performed with his Trio in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The sheer majestic quality of this band’s music is astounding, and, in the vast surroundings of the Cathedral, Wilson’s soaring tenor took on a spiritual quality, reaching all the way back to Coltrane. With an unlikely instrumentation of guitar, accordion and saxophone, the Trio gently added subtle textures to the mix, creating a music that seemed to be full of air and light. Stephen Grant’s accordion floated dreamlike through the space, while Stephen Magnusson’s guitar pierced the veil, intelligent and thoughtful. Solos were few and far between, but when Wilson did set off, his tenor soared to the upper reaches of the Cathedral, filling the church to overflowing. It was a remarkable performance, full of such intimacy and telepathic communion." Rhythms Magazine

Show less