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| Steve Wilson Inspires Jazz Students Steve Wilson is staying true to his promise of spreading the tradition of Jazz to the next generation of aspiring artists. A number of Educational Workshops have been scheduled for 2008, and more will follow in '09. At Wilson's extensive clinics, he visits a University for several days, conducts Master Classes and workshops, performs as a Guest Artist with local school/University bands, and more. These trips are close to Wilson's heart, and allow his warm, modest personality to shine with students and faculty alike. Upcoming Educational visits include April 8-10, 2008 at Indiana, PA-area Elementary, Jr & Sr High Schools, as well as March 9-12, 2009 at University of Maryland in College Park, MD. Other upcoming activities include a February 1st concert with Lewis Nash at Lafayette College in Easton, PA; a 'Featured Guest' visit to The CA State University Jazz Festival on February 7th & 8th; and a performance and workshop with the Colorado Jazz Orchestra on February 27th & 28th in Greeley, CO. Additional details follow below. Ben Ratliff of The New York Times has described Steve Wilson as “among the best New York jazz has to offer," and Jim Macnie of The Village Voice has praised Wilson as “a riveting improviser." As you look ahead to coverage assignments for 2008, please keep Steve Wilson in mind. He's an artist worth speaking with about the past, present and future of jazz music. About Steve Wilson: Back in 1996, The New York Times described Steve Wilson as “perhaps the quintessential sideman: modest, flexible, congenial and much in demand." In the 12 years since, Wilson has simultaneously embraced and eclipsed the moniker, finally reaching the point in his career where one title simply can't tell the full story. Yes, he's a saxophonist. Yes, he's a sought-after sideman. And, yes, he's a respected band-leader, with two celebrated quartets. But there's more to Steve Wilson than meets the eye. He's also an educator, as mentioned above - intent on passing his knowledge on to up-and-coming musicians. And, he's a true jazz historian - well versed in the evolution of America's Art Form. In fact, it may be safe to say that Steve Wilson has developed into a sort of jazz 'Yoda' -- a true 'Jazz Master'. UPCOMING APPEARANCES: February 1, 2008 - Lafayette College, Easton, PA: Musical Dialogue with Lewis Nash & Steve Wilson Williams Center for the Arts, Ticket price: $18 ; Time: 8pm; For tickets: 610-330-5009 The Lewis Nash/Steve Wilson Duo pairs two great instrumentalists on one stage. Like Wilson, drummer Nash is grounded in the rich history of jazz, while simultaneously serving as a leader and role model for the next generation of performers. Together, Wilson and Nash complement each other as innovators - charting new courses and sharing a natural chemistry that allows them the freedom to experiment, improvise, and trust one another. Such rare pairings help jazz to soar, and audiences get to share in the joy these two men bring to a stage. February 7-8, 2008 - CA State University, Stanislaus: Steve Wilson is the Featured Guest Artist for the CA State University, Stanislaus Jazz Festival. Activities will include Wilson Master Classes, performances and more: Awards: * Festival clinicians will award medals to outstanding individual performers from each ensemble. * Festival clinicians will select up to two ensembles to perform in the evening concert. * Two partial tuition scholarships to the CSU Stanislaus Summer Music Camp will be awarded to the most outstanding performers of the festival. * Each participating school will be awarded a commemorative plaque. Festival will also include a gala Concert featuring Steve Wilson and the CSU Stanislaus Jazz Ensemble. The CSU Jazz Ensemble will perform Wilson's “A Joyful Noise (For JW)," with Wilson as guest soloist. February 27-28, 2008 - Greeley, CO: Steve Wilson is the Featured Guest Artist for the Jazz Festival in Greeley, CO. Activities will include a performance at Dazzle in Denver; a Workshop & Performance with Colorado Jazz Orchestra at University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, and more. April 8-10, 2008 - Indiana Area Schools, Indiana, PA: Steve Wilson will serve as Guest Clinician and will conduct workshops with the Elementary, Jr & Sr High Schools in the Indiana, PA-area. He will be the guest artist with the Sr High School Jazz Ensemble, and together they will perform concerts in each of the area schools. Wilson will conduct workshops with the younger ensembles, including the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble and lead workshops in Improvisation and a saxophone Master Class. A final performance with the Senior High School Jazz Ensemble Ensemble will close the residency. March 9-12, 2009 -Clarice Center for the Performing Arts, Univ. of MD, College Park, MD: Steve Wilson will be the Artist in Residence and will conduct workshops on improvisation and the Business of Music. He will speak to the ethnomusicology class about jazz history within the context of American history, conduct workshops with the university jazz ensemble as well as smaller combos. All events are subject to change due to the long-lead time. The UMD Jazz Ensemble will perform Wilson's “A Joyful Noise". At this event, Steve will be working with his old friend Chris Vadala, who is the head of the Jazz Dept at UMD. Wilson's band will join him for the last two days of the visit, and will participate in the workshops. They will perform a concert on the last day. Wilson will also perform as a guest with the student jazz ensemble the night before his own concert. Plans are in the works for Steve to compose a new piece for this event. Steve Wilson Wears Many Hats, all with Modesty: Band Leader, Sideman, Educator, Historian, 'Jazz Master': Regardless of how you choose to describe him, Steve Wilson is a gracious and humble presence - one who pursues his music, and his varied roles, seriously and soulfully. Critical acclaim has followed Wilson throughout his busy career. He is known for his versatility, and for saying more with less, attributes that have drawn many other artists to work with him over the past 20-plus years. His solos have been called “impossibly, achingly gorgeous" (All About Jazz). With over 100 recordings to his credit, including seven as a band leader, Wilson continues to set the standard for the best of what jazz can be - uplifting, unpredictable, eloquent and passionate. Wilson is well known for his regular performances with such respected artists as Chick Corea, Dianne Reeves, Dave Holland and more. He continues to work with The Maria Schneider Orchestra, Mulgrew Miller, Renee Rosnes, and Lewis Nash and others. With plans to return to the studio this year to record a new CD, and an ever-growing schedule of headlining dates as well as collaborations, Wilson is ready to carry his beloved jazz to new audiences throughout America. Steve Wilson - Historian: If there were ever a 'game show about jazz', you'd want to get Steve Wilson on your team - pronto. He's one of those guys you can ask about virtually any recording, and he'd be able to tell you when the session took place, and who was on it. Wilson has a deep respect for, and a vast knowledge of, the history of jazz. This expansive base of knowledge helps to define him as a musician's musician, yet it does not confine him as a performer. In fact, his breadth of knowledge helps to separate Steve from the pack, establishing him as one of the few saxophonists who has a truly distinctive voice - a perspective which encompasses the past, present and future of jazz. Steve Wilson - 'Jazz Master': All of this brings us to the concept of Steve Wilson as 'jazz master'. Wilson has reached the point in his career where all of the essential tools are in place and he is now being called upon, repeatedly, as an 'expert' in the field. He is someone who is a part of the next generation of jazz establishment, who has had the experience of playing with many of jazz's current and past greats, and who is now in a position to legitimately begin 'passing the torch.' Wilson firmly believes that hearing the old stories and playing the classic music is what provides any jazz musician with the strongest foundation to find their own sound. As such, he advocates large ensemble/big band experience as essential to the development of any jazz musician - it's certainly something he credits has having helped him develop his ability to fit into virtually any musical situation. Put simply, Wilson believes that to go forward, one must respect and learn from the past. 2008 & 2009 - In addition to the activities mentioned above, Tba in 2008 and 2009, Wilson will be a part of a project celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Blue Note Records. Details are still being confirmed, but according to Steve Wilson's Management, plans are in the works for a studio recording as well as a national and international tour. The Music Director for the group will be Bill Charlap, and the band will feature Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Ravi Coltrane and Nicholas Payton. Together with Wilson, they will focus on recreating Blue Note music from the 1950s and 1960s. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |