This week we feature Los Angeles jazz guitarist Anthony Wilson.

Last Sunday I went to a jazz guitar seminar hosted by Los Angeles jazz guitarist Anthony Wilson. Anthony is a very humble and unassuming player with a gigantic amount of talent... a real natural talent on the guitar. At the seminar he spent a good deal of time explaining his methods of practising and was very forthcoming on his approach to phrasing. He made the time spent there very worthwhile. Then he played some tunes and impressed the heck out of everyone. I also managed to catch Anthony for a set at John Pisanos Guitar night a few days later. Hot stuff. For the past year Anthony has been playing behind Diana Krall, so it was a real treat to see and hear him stretch out.

Although I have covered Anthony before, I wanted to plug him again. He has several CDs of his own and they are gems. Do yourself and favor and check out his website, listen to a few tunes and buy a CD. You'll be glad you did.

Online Bio

In a few short years, composer/arranger/guitarist Anthony Wilson has carved a distinctive niche in the jazz community, having released three CDs with his large ensemble on MAMA Records, all of which received considerable acclaim. Among other honors, Wilson's first, self-titled CD received a Grammy award nomination in 1998; his second CD Goat Hill Junket featured prominently on many jazz critics' Top-Ten lists; and his most recent CD Adult Themes received a rare "5 Stars" in Downbeat Magazine.His first trio recording, Our Gang, on GrooveNote Records, is scheduled for release in May 2001.

Anthony Wilson won the Thelonious Monk International Composers' Competition in 1995, was nominated for two New York Jazz Awards in 1998 (Best Debut Artist and Composition of the Year) and has received numerous commissions, such as The Gil Evans Fellowship from the International Association of Jazz Educators in 1999. In 2000, he was voted #1 composer (and #3 arranger) "Deserving Wider Recognition" in the 48th Downbeat International Critics' Poll. In addition to performing & recording with his own bands, Wilson has recorded and toured with such artists as Bennie Wallace, Ernie Watts, Marcus Printup, Pete Christlieb, Madeleine Peyroux, and his father Gerald Wilson. Anthony Wilson has been a member of the Jazz Studies faculty at UCLA since 1998.

Anthony's website and clips:
http://anthonywilsonmusic.com/

Clips for his new CD are on Amazon.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 endorse Heritage Guitars and is a featured artist on their website. He also endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps -- great for jazz (and anything else!)