GERALD WILSON

Gerald Wilson

Lighthouse blues

Wilson had his own method of arranging. I heard his speak about it several times. It had to do with the use of extensions and in essence using substitute chords built on those extensions. I never fully understood it and was never really to hear the difference but Ill take his word for it.

Gerald Wilson, passed away only 3 years ago at the age of 96, and he had a band up until the very end. in addition to having his own band he wrote for such people as Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Julie London, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson.