The archetypal big-toned Texas tenor of
Don Wilkerson was unfortunately not documented on record as much as the quality of his music deserved; he was an excellent, earthy soul-jazz saxophonist capable of playing blues, ballads, bop, swing, and gospel-tinged R&B.
Wilkerson was born in Moreauville, LA, in 1932, and first learned the alto sax; by his teens, he had moved to Houston and was accomplished enough on tenor to play with R&B outfits headed by
Amos Milburn and Charles Brown.
Wilkerson played on some of
Ray Charles' earliest recording sessions in the mid-'50s, taking memorable solos on classics like "I Got a Woman," "This Little Girl of Mine," and "Hallelujah I Love Her So." He also led a band in Miami for a short time, and participated in numerous jam sessions with
Cannonball Adderley.
Adderley produced
Wilkerson's first recording session, a 1960 date for Riverside titled The Texas Twister. After another short stint with
Charles, he signed with Blue Note and recorded three stellar, soulful albums over 1962-1963:
Elder Don,
Preach, Brother!, and
Shoutin', all of which featured
Grant Green on guitar. Unfortunately, none was very successful, and
Wilkerson didn't record any further as a leader. He remained in Houston for most of his life and passed away on July 18, 1986. ~ Steve Huey