Customer Reviews

In My Time

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Gerald Wilson is the living history of big band jazz. From his start in the 30's with Jimmy Lunceford to this album, where he leads young players like Sean Young and Russell Malone along with older pros like Jon Faddis and many others, Mr. Wilson has been making serious contributions to the music for 70 years. Here he is composer of most of the pieces, and arranger-conductor of the whole presentation. Gerald Wilson is one creative, swinging, and together 87 year old man.

The centerpiece - a 3 movement piece called "The Diminished Triangle" - is the result of an NEA commission, which is the best thing I can think of to say about the NEA. It is a very enjoyable and memorable piece of work. There is no weak track here, and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra's rendition of Miles Davis' "So What" is a particular treat.

While many folks his age are basking in retirement, Gerald Wilson continues to create exciting big band jazz, as evidenced in this fantastic CD.

It didn't matter if I heard a small taste of all the tracks, but the opening "Sax Chase" (a no-holds barred piece lasting just over 10 minutes) made the decision to purchase easier. Other standout pieces include the suite "Diminished Triangle," "Love for Sale," "So What," and so on.

Gerald, keep swinging. It is a gross injustice that this fine effort of yours did not get nominated for a Grammy!!!

This is a wonderful CD. Start with an A-team rhythm section: Renee Rosnes, Lewis Nash, Russell Malone (who also gets in some great solo work), and Peter Washington. Next add hall of fame arranger Gerald Wilson. And include solo work from an A-list of NYC talent. This is a can't miss project, and it doesn't miss. It easily ranks with Wilson's outstanding work in the 60s for Pacific Jazz (available on Mosaic Records).

Very well-recorded too, as a bonus.

Having heard a track of this CD owned by a friend, I couldn't wait to purchase a copy of my own. Under the direction of Gerald Wilson - 86 years young - I would recommend this CD to anyone with fond memories of the big bands of bygone days.

This CD swings like mad!

I am a great admirer of Wilson's stripped down compositional and arranging style. He has the ability to eliminate all superfluous musical material, leaving only the essentials, rather like Neal Hefti's work for Count Basie's band in the 1950s. Wilson's 1960s records, confined as they were by the 40 minute restriction of the LP format, were classics of the genre. Unfortunately this record suffers from the CD syndrome - approximately 40 minutes of good material stretched out to the requisite 70 minutes with long technically proficient, but ultimately tedious solos. Wilson's earlier records are not available, but 'The Artist Selects' is an excellent sampler.

I strongly recommend this CD for everyone's collection. The orchestra performs wonderfully under the direction of Gerald Wilson. Young and old alike, as long as they have an appreciation for quality music, will swing to the orchestration.