Suite Memories: Reflections on Jazz Journey

Gerald Wilson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1996)
• Original Release Date: June 10, 1996
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Mama Records
• ASIN: B0000018M3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,990 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #64 in Music > Miscellaneous > Poetry, Spoken Word & Interviews > Interviews

Track Listings

1. My First Baton

2. Shelby, Mississippi

3. Hero of Manassas High

4. A Telegram

5. This Band's Too Good

6. The Lunceford Arrangers

7. Getting a Raise; Crunch Time

8. My First Recorded Solo

9. Lunceford Special [Excerpt]

10. Two Tickets, Please

11. In the Navy

12. Getting Started

13. Hittin' the Road

14. On Top

15. On the Cutting Edge

16. Groovin' High

17. Too Soon

18. A Phone Call

19. To Your Credit

20. Don't Be Late

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

No description available.
Genre: Jazz Music
Rating:
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: Compact Disk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story well told. Spoken word only., April 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] "[e-mail]" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Suite Memories: Reflections on Jazz Journey (Audio CD)

I thoroughly enjoyed this CD, but buyers must be aware that there is virtually no music here. This is the spoken word of Gerald Wilson, one of the greatest arrangers and orchestrators in the history of jazz. Perhaps only Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn join Gerald Wilson at the very top.

Wilson is recorded reminiscing about his life in what appears to be answers to the (silent) interviewer's questions. His memory is astounding, as he recalls his early life in Mississippi, his teens in Detroit, his early musical experiences, life in the navy, the various bands he played in (trumpet), and his friendships with so many jazz greats. Wilson's obvious intelligence and great musical knowledge and sophistication come through again and again. So too does his enthusiasm for his music, his genuine affection for his fellow musicians, and the depth and breadth of his knowledge of the history of jazz.

Another quality emerges from this CD. That is Gerald Wilson's great humanity and generosity. He finds something to praise about everyone he mentions. His stories are not sugar-coated, but rather the true expression of a happy and open soul. It comes as no suprise that Wilson's parents were very hard working and religious people, and that his own relationship with his wife is very close.

We owe thanks to Gene Czerwinski and his MAMA Foundation for this jewel of history. Czerwinski and his late wife Lois founded Cerwin-Vega, a hi-fi company.

I have been a fan of jazz along with my passion for classical music and opera for many years. Gerald Wilson first came to my attention in the 1960's with his recordings for Pacific Jazz. Anyone who is interested in him, or in the history of jazz since the 1930's would profit from listening to this CD. I highly recommend it.

The only thing missing is Gerald Wilson's music. Perhaps this CD and its oral history will persuade a record company to remaster Wilson's great orchestra's recordings and release his entire discography on CD. Here's hoping.