by Doc Dosco
http://www.docdosco.com

This week we are featuring guitarist New York jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins.
Jack is a fine player, a burning soloist and great accompanist. His CDs are
always well worth listening to again and again.

Online Bio

Guitarist Jack Wilkins has been a part of the New York jazz scene for
more than four decades. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal
approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan,
Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Rich and many others.

A native of Brooklyn, Jack began playing guitar at age ten. His mentors
included Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass,
Bill Evans, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Johnny Smith

Windows, his first album as a leader (Mainstream, 1973,) also available
in transcription published by Hal Leonard Corporation, has been
critically acclaimed as a dazzling, seminal guitar trio work.

Later recordings, Merge, Mexico, Call Him Reckless, Alien Army, Keep in
Touch,Heading North, Bluesin’, and his latest cd Reunion, feature the
Brecker Brothers, Al Foster, Phil Woods, Kenny Drew, Jr., and many
others. Project G7, a two CD set tribute to Wes Montgomery, features
peerless chordal creativity by Wilkins.

In recent years, Wilkins has played at many international festivals and
played with many jazz greats including Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath,
The Mingus Epitaph, 5 Guitars play Mingus (primary arranger) and bassist
Eddie Gomez.

A consummate accompanist, Wilkins has played and recorded with renowned
singers, Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Tony
Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano and Jay Clayton. Wilkins was
awarded an NEA grant in recognition of his work and contribution to the
guitar. He has been widely and prominently profiled and featured in such
publications as Guitar Player, Just Jazz Guitar, Downbeat, 20th Century
Guitar and Leonard Feather’s Jazz Encyclopedia. Recently Wilkins was
invited to the Smithsonian Institution to be part of the Blue Guitars
exhibit, and appeared on the P.S. I. first live jazz internet concert.
He was also featured as part of the J.V.C. festival tributes to Johnny
Smith, Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel.

Wilkins lives in Manhattan. He teaches at The New School, N.Y.U., Long
Island University, and Manhattan School of Music. He was recently
invited to judge the Monk Institute Guitar Competitions in Washington.
He also conducts seminars and guitar clinics, both in New York and
abroad.

His Latest CD’s, “Reunion”, the DVD, “The Benedetto Players in Concert”,
“The Benedetto Players and Guild Jazzmasters,, and the CD Christmas Jazz
Guitar, are all currently available.

Jack Wilkins website is at http://www.jackwilkins.com

Doc Dosco is a jazz guitarist, composer and audio consultant living in Los Angeles, CA. His website is located at http://www.docdosco.com, where you can find more information on the ‘What’s Hot with Jazz Guitar’ columns, audio clips of Doc’s playing, and many additional features. Doc endorses Heritage Guitars and is featured artist on their website. He also endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps — great for jazz (and anything else!)