⬇️ DON WILKERSON ⬇️
(6CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Don Wilkerson (c. 1932–18 July 1986) was an American soul jazz / R'n'B
tenor saxophonist born in Moreauville, Louisiana, probably better known
for his Blue Note Records recordings in the 1960s as bandleader with
guitarist Grant Green. Prior to signing with the label, he worked
frequently with Cannonball Adderley. Some of his earliest recording were
done in the 1950s as a sideman for Amos Milburn and Ray Charles.
In Houston in the early 1970s, he played in the Sonny Franklin Big Band with Tom Archia, Arnett Cobb, and his bandmate from the Ray Charles band, Joe Bridgewater, with guest appearances by Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Many of the band's arrangements were done by Cedric Haywood
(6CD)
Don Wilkerson (c. 1932–18 July 1986) was an American soul jazz / R'n'B
tenor saxophonist born in Moreauville, Louisiana, probably better known
for his Blue Note Records recordings in the 1960s as bandleader with
guitarist Grant Green. Prior to signing with the label, he worked
frequently with Cannonball Adderley. Some of his earliest recording were
done in the 1950s as a sideman for Amos Milburn and Ray Charles.In Houston in the early 1970s, he played in the Sonny Franklin Big Band with Tom Archia, Arnett Cobb, and his bandmate from the Ray Charles band, Joe Bridgewater, with guest appearances by Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Many of the band's arrangements were done by Cedric Haywood
The archetypal big-toned Texas tenor of Don Wilkerson was unfortunately
not documented on record as much as the quality of his music deserved; he
was an excellent, earthy soul-jazz saxophonist capable of playing blues,
ballads, bop, swing, and gospel-tinged R&B. Wilkerson was born in
Moreauville, LA, in 1932, and first learned the alto sax; by his teens, he
had moved to Houston and was accomplished enough on tenor to play with
R'n'B outfits headed by Amos Milburn and Charles Brown.
Wilkerson played on some of Ray Charles' earliest recording sessions in
the mid-'50s, taking memorable solos on classics like "I Got a Woman,"
"This Little Girl of Mine," and "Hallelujah I Love Her So." He also led a
band in Miami for a short time, and participated in numerous jam sessions
with Cannonball Adderley. Adderley produced Wilkerson's first recording
session, a 1960 date for Riverside titled The Texas Twister.
After another short stint with Charles, he signed with Blue Note and
recorded three stellar, soulful albums over 1962-1963: Elder Don, Preach,
Brother!, and Shoutin', all of which featured Grant Green on guitar.
Unfortunately, none was very successful, and Wilkerson didn't record any
further as a leader. He remained in Houston for most of his life and
passed away on July 18, 1986.