Chuck Wilson has worked with a wide range of jazz artists during his long career, especially gaining exposure in the
Howard Alden-
Dan Barrett Quintet and the big bands of
Gerry Mulligan,
Benny Goodman, and
Buddy Rich. Though he has worked as a leader on gigs, this is his belated recording debut as a leader. Calling upon several old friends for the session including
Alden (who contributed the liner notes as well), trombonist
Joel Helleny, bassist Murray Wall, and drummer Tom Melito,
Wilson's soft-spoken alto sax doesn't dominate the proceedings, but more or less engages his fellow instrumentalists.
Wilson's choice of repertoire is wide-ranging, including standards, both timeless and neglected jazz works, plus Brazilian music.
Wilson channels alto sax great
Johnny Hodges with his performances of two pieces from the vast
Duke Ellington/
Billy Strayhorn songbook: "Isfahan" and "U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group)," both featuring
Alden's intricate solos, the latter
Helleny's
sassy trombone. His choice of two
Lee Morgan songs is inspired, the enchanting calypso "Caliso" and easygoing hard bop gem "The Joker." He switches to clarinet to play Harlem stride pianist
Willie "The Lion" Smith's "Echo of Spring" (with
Alden playing a convincing stride line on his seven-string electric guitar), with guest alto flautist Diva Goodfriend-Koven adding a harmony line.
Wilson remains on clarinet for a playful setting of
Ornette Coleman's twisted blues "Turnaround."
Chuck Wilson's long overdue debut CD should provoke future record dates for the veteran reedman. ~ Ken Dryden