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Wayne Wilkinson

Wayne Wilkinson is a headliner guitarist that performs and tours across the country and internationally. Throughout his over four decade career, Wayne has shared the stage with iconic jazz musicians, world class performers and a President of the United States.  

An artist with Benedetto guitars and GHS Strings, Wilkinson is known for his high-octane melodic playing which world-renowned jazz trombonist Bill Watrous said “is the greatest guitar playing I’ve ever heard.”

In addition to concerts; jazz clubs; recital series; jazz parties; jazz and swing societies and private venue events, recent performances have included the London, Tel Aviv, and Vail Jazz Festivals; a United Kingdom Tour, and Hawaii Tour.

Wilkinson’s group, The Wayne Wilkinson Trio, performs a mix of straight ahead and traditional jazz and American songbook standards, innovative jazz arrangements of other music genres, and inspired original compositions.

Wilkinson has played at the White House, Carnegie Hall and at major jazz and music festivals with the premier Air Force Jazz Ensembles "The Airmen of Note" in Washington, D.C. and the "Falconaires" in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

As a faculty member at the nationally accredited Colorado Springs Conservatory, Wilkinson helped establish the Jazz program. He was also an adjunct professor for Jazz Guitar at Colorado State University - Pueblo for ten years. Wayne conducts master classes and clinics at universities and conservatories across the country.

Additional Quotes about Wayne Wilkinson: "One hell of a guitar player." Johnny Smith, legendary jazz guitarist. “Considered by many musicians to be one of the best, most underrated jazz guitarists in the country, if not the world, Wilkinson turns any song, no matter the style, into his own personal signature.” Carol Banks Weber, Jazz Music Examiner. “Wayne is a jazz guitar virtuoso.” Dick Fairley, Jazz Excursion host.

Wilkinson’s latest CD, “Proceed To Route,” is his eighth independent label recording and the first as the Wayne Wilkinson Trio. A link to ‘Proceed To Route’ in Dropbox is: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m9vrt61dnsvsuoz/AACnGhJ6GpTrdZdahNX3-38Ga?dl=0  

Some of the musicians Wilkinson has played with include: Bill Watrous, Bucky Pizzarelli, Johnny Smith, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Nicki Parrot, Houston Person, Ken Peplowski, Nelson Rangell, Harry Allen, Henry Mancini, James Moody, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Williams, Ernie Watts, Chuck Redd, Ed Polcer, Allan Vache, Bria Skonberg, and Adrian Cunningham. Other people he’s played with in his career are President Clinton, Jack Jones, Dianne Schuur, Bob Hope, Roger Williams, and Louis Belson.  He is a repeat guest performer with Earl Klugh's Weekend of Jazz.

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All About Jazz Top 10 Tracks: August 2019

All About Jazz Top 10 Tracks: August 2019

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz features a free song every day spanning all genres of jazz, and of the 30 tracks featured in August, these ten represent our personal favorites. We also included the top ten reader favorites as indicated by total listens. Musicians and record labels can submit full length MP3s for consideration here. Enjoy! EDITOR'S PICKS Martino's Waltz Wayne Wilkinson From: Proceed To Route 5:18 Roots and Wings Ralph Hepola ...

"One hell of a guitar player." Johnny Smith, legendary jazz guitarist.

"In my life I don't think I've ever heard a more magnificent guitar player than Wayne." Bill Watrous, world-renowned jazz trombonist.

“Wayne is a jazz guitar virtuoso.” Dick Fairley, Jazz Excursion host.

“Considered by many musicians to be one of the best, most underrated jazz guitarists in the country, if not the world, Wilkinson turns any song, no matter the style, into his own personal signature.” Carol Banks Weber, Jazz Music Examiner.

Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Colorado Springs

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Colorado State University Pueblo Colorado Springs Conservatory

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Proceed To Route

Self Produced
2019

buy

Yours Yours Yours

Self Produced
2018

buy

It's a Lark

Self Produced
2014

buy

Szln 46 the Rest of...

Self Produced
2013

buy

Martino's Waltz

From: Proceed To Route
By Wayne Wilkinson

Videos

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