Accessibility links
Gerald Wilson Gerald Wilson artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Gerald Wilson

Gerald Wilson On Piano Jazz

Gerald Wilson. Courtesy of the artist. hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artist.

Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz

Gerald Wilson On Piano Jazz

The late bandleader, composer, arranger and trumpeter was famed for sophisticated musical ideas and dedicated to the infinite possibilities of jazz. Hear a 2006 session.

Listen: Gerald Wilson On Piano Jazz

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/255858231/255859307" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Concerts

Gerald Wilson, Otis Taylor from Monterey

WBGO

Every September since 1958, the Monterey Jazz Festival has transformed the municipal fairgrounds into a vast, sun-speckled California music weekend. JazzSet picks the best moments from last fall's 50th Monterey Jazz Festival, including performances from Gerald Wilson and Otis Taylor.

Gerald Wilson Orchestra in Concert from the Monterey Jazz Festival - 09/22/2007

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/89694374/89742665" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Monterey Jazz Festival

Gerald Wilson Conducts 'Monterey Moods' Premiere

WBGO

The legendary jazz trumpeter and composer premiered the seven-part Monterey Moods suite at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Hear his celebratory exploration of all the various forms of jazz that have come through Monterey in its 50 years.

Gerald Wilson Orchestra in Concert from the Monterey Jazz Festival - 09/22/2007

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14589465/14666343" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music Interviews

Trumpeter Gerald Wilson, Blowing Strong

Fresh Air

Trumpeter, composer, and arranger Gerald Wilson turned 88 years old Monday. He grew up in Mississippi, and got his start playing with Jimmy Lunceford's band in New York City. He later worked with Benny Carter's band and formed his own. As a composer-arranger, he worked for the Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie bands. And he accompanied Billie Holiday on her tour of the South in 1949. He's arranged music for Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Bobby Darin, and Carmen McRae. His most recent CD was released last year, In My Time.

Trumpeter Gerald Wilson, Blowing Strong

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5768733/5768737" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Music

Jazzman Gerald Wilson, Still Enjoying His 'Time'

Jazz great Gerald Wilson is still going strong at 87. He will perform this weekend in New York as part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center series. His most recent album, In My Time was released last year.

Jazzman Gerald Wilson, Still Enjoying His 'Time'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5228252/5228253" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monterey Jazz Festival

Monterey Jazz Festival Celebrates 50th Year

Hear a preview of the 50th annual Monterey Jazz Festival, which includes Gerald Wilson's specially commissioned piece, Monterey Moods. Wilson and many other jazz luminaries, including Dave Brubeck, celebrate the festival's half-century mark this weekend.

Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14566084/14574933" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The Gerald Wilson Orchestra: A Living 'Legacy'
Courtesy of the artist.

Music Interviews

The Gerald Wilson Orchestra: A Living 'Legacy'

Now in his 90s, Wilson has played with and composed for many of the biggest names in jazz. For his latest album, he enlisted the help of his son and grandson, both composers and musicians themselves.

The Gerald Wilson Orchestra: A Living 'Legacy'

Listen · 9:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/138164894/138184906" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The Gerald Wilson Orchestra: A Living 'Legacy'
Courtesy of the artist.

Music Interviews

The Gerald Wilson Orchestra: A Living 'Legacy'

Now in his 90s, Wilson has played with and composed for many of the biggest names in jazz. For his latest album, he enlisted the help of his son and grandson, both composers and musicians themselves.

The Gerald Wilson Orchestra: A Living 'Legacy'

Listen · 9:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/138164894/138184906" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org