Gerald Wilson Orchestra

Gerald Wilson Orchestra on vinyl: big band with blues and West Coast shine

In short: Gerald Wilson (1918–2014) was a trumpeter, composer and arranger and is regarded as one of the great big-band leaders in jazz. He came from Mississippi, played with Jimmie Lunceford and lived in Los Angeles from the forties. In the sixties he recorded a series of albums with his orchestra for Pacific Jazz – powerful, modern and full of blues. The Vinyl Room currently has 9 Gerald Wilson Orchestra records.

What makes the Gerald Wilson Orchestra special?

His big band sounds lush and modern at once: rich horn arrangements, solos with plenty of room, a groove that comes from the blues. On “You Better Believe It!” Richard “Groove” Holmes plays the organ; for “Les McCann Sings” Wilson led the orchestra behind the pianist and singer.

“Moment Of Truth” contains “Viva Tirado”, which Wilson dedicated to a bullfighter and which the band El Chicano turned into a hit in 1970. Plus “On Stage”, “Feelin’ Kinda Blues” and a best-of compilation.

From our stock

First pressings

Records by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra

→ Richard “Groove” Holmes · Les McCann · Pacific Jazz · Big band

FAQ

Who was Gerald Wilson? A trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader from Los Angeles, born in Mississippi.

What is “Viva Tirado”? A 1962 piece by Gerald Wilson, named after a bullfighter; El Chicano made it famous in 1970 as a Latin rock version.

Who plays organ on “You Better Believe It!”? Richard “Groove” Holmes.

Which records do you have? Mostly Pacific Jazz albums from the sixties – 9 records in all.