A colorful, propulsive drummer,
Shadow Wilson worked with many major bands during his career. He was a sensitive and exciting stylist, and could provide rhythmically dynamic and softly sympathetic accompaniment using sticks or brushes. He began playing with
Lucky Millinder in 1939, then worked with
Benny Carter,
Tiny Bradshaw,
Lionel Hampton,
Earl Hines,
Count Basie, and
Woody Herman.
Wilson later worked in the combos of
Illinois Jacquet,
Erroll Garner, and
Thelonious Monk, and played with
Ella Fitzgerald. He worked frequently with
Sonny Stitt in the '50s, and recorded with
Basie,
Joe Newman,
Monk, and
Lee Konitz.
Wilson didn't record any albums as a leader, but can be heard on CD reissues by
Basie,
Phil Woods and
Gene Quill,
Tadd Dameron, and
Monk. ~ Ron Wynn