Alien Army, the refer of the disc, is too the refer of this novel Big Apple-based band led past times guitarist Jack Wilkins.
At a fourth dimension when the adult contemporary airwaves are saturated alongside jazz wannabees, Wilkins offers modern music rooted inward tradition, filled alongside energy, as well as rock-solid inward its depth. Wilkins' collaborators both every bit performers as well as writers are drummer Mike Clark (back from final year's fine Wilkins outing Call Him Reckless), the double bassist Michael Formanek, as well as keyboard thespian Marc Puricelli.
The band's inability to last pigeonholed makes the listening all the to a greater extent than fun. Wilkins & Co. constantly are throwing surprises into the mix. Just when your feet acquire used to tapping along to the lively swing of i passage of a weird medley called Fun Fat, things plough avant-garde. Puricelli's No Time simply Now is an R&B-rooted burn.
Wilkins shifts from electrical guitar to acoustic for the lovely gypsy-tinged master Luna Rain, which is enriched past times Puricelli's haunting synthesizer work. Other dandies include She's the One, Barcelona Rising as well as a wishful ballad aptly called Romance.
Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been on the International jazz scene since the early 1970's. His flawless technique as well as imaginative chordal approach convey inspired collaborations alongside Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, as well as Buddy Rich amid many others. H5N1 native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at historic catamenia thirteen. His mentors included Johnny Smith, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown as well as Freddie Hubbard.
“Windows”, his inaugural off album every bit a leader (Mainstream, 1973,) too available inward transcription published past times Hal Leonard Publications has been critically acclaimed every bit a dazzling, seminal guitar trio work.
Later recordings, “Merge”, “Mexico”, “Call Him Reckless”, “Alien Army”, “Keep inward Touch”, as well as “Trioart”, characteristic the Brecker Brothers, Eddie Gomez, Jack De Johnette, Al Foster, Phil Woods, Kenny Drew, Jr., as well as many others. Project G7, a 2 CD laid upwards tribute to Wes Montgomery, features Kenny Burrell amid others.
In recent years, Jack has played many international festivals alongside jazz greats Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, The Mingus Epitaph, 5 Guitars play Mingus, Red Rodney, Ira Sullivan, Johnny Griffin as well as others.
A goal accompanist, Wilkins has played as well as recorded alongside renowned singers Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano, Chris Conner, Cassandra Wilson, as well as Jay Clayton. Wilkins was awarded an NEA grant inward recognition of his go as well as contribution to the guitar. He has been widely as well as prominently profiled inward such publications every bit Guitar Player, Just Jazz Guitar, Downbeat, 20th Century Guitar as well as Leonard Feather’s Jazz Encyclopedia. Jack was invited to the Smithsonian Institution every bit part of the Blue Guitars exhibit, as well as appeared on the P.S. I. inaugural off alive jazz Internet concert. He was too featured on the J.V.C. festival tributes to Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow, Herb Ellis, as well as Barney Kessel
Wilkins teaches at The New School, Manhattan School of Music, NYU, as well as LIU. He was invited to gauge the Monk Institute Guitar Competitions inward Washington. He too conducts seminars on the “Great American Songbook”, as well as guitar clinics, both inward New York as well as abroad. His latest CD's, "Reunion", “Christmas Jazz Guitar” the DVD”s, “The Benedetto Players inward Concert”, “The Benedetto Players as well as Guild Jazz Masters”, as well as “Jazz Guitar Workshop” are all currently available. H5N1 novel CD is forthwith available called “Until It’s Time” on the Maxjazz label.
When talking to Jack Wilkins, you lot hear the phrase "to me" to a greater extent than than whatever other. While the opinions he expresses are deeply held as well as reverberate groovy thought, he seems intent on non forcing those opinions on others.
Born inward 1944, Wilkins began playing rattling early as well as played "the stone as well as curlicue of my day". He did non attend college to written report music simply studied privately alongside several teachers, fifty-fifty studying classical guitar for 5 years as well as pianoforte for 2 years. His inaugural off professional person gig was at xviii as well as he played alongside many local bands inward his native New York.
Since those humble beginnings, Wilkins has played alongside a broad make of the genuinely groovy musicians of our fourth dimension including (to refer solely a few) Stan Getz, Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Bill Evans, Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie, Manhattan Transfer, the Brecker Brothers, as well as Phil Woods.
Currently, Wilkins lives inward New York city, plays several nights per week, travels, records as well as is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music, NYU, as well as Long Island University.
His latest recording, "Alien Army" is available on the Music Masters label.
Track listing:
1 Happy Eyes 5:41
2 Barcelona Rising 6:57
3 Chess 7:41
4 No Time But Now 5:45
5 Fun Fat (Sweet) Fornix 3:40
6 Clean Dreamer 1:54
7 Pod Dance 8:19
8 Luna Rain 5:58
9 She's the One 5:33
10 Romance 2:40
Personnel:
Jack Wilkins - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
Marc Puricelli - Piano, Keyboards
Mike Clark - Drums
Michael Clark - Bass
Michael Formanek - Bass, Bass (Acoustic)
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