GERALD WILSON ORCHESTRA
MONTEREY MOODS

Preeminent composer/bandleader commemorates
50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
 with his third commissioned composition for MJF and
third Mack Avenue Records release

The larger world has discovered what Los Angeles has long known: that Gerald Wilson is the preeminent orchestra leader in jazz. In demand at festivals and concert halls worldwide, Wilson has had to form an adjunct orchestra based in New York. This handpicked group, augmented by flute virtuoso Hubert Laws, interprets the new Monterey Moods, his third Mack Avenue album following the 2003 Grammy® nominated, New York, New Sound, and 2005’s critically lauded, In My Time. Monterey Moods will be released on September 25.

As a composer, arranger, and trumpeter, Wilson has shaped and led what is now the longest-established jazz big band, begun in 1944. Longevity, though, is not what makes the Gerald Wilson Orchestra a great jazz institution. It’s the continual innovation in his writing and the ability to attract—and maintain—topflight musicians that has kept his band in the forefront of the music. 
           
The history of the Wilson Orchestra is intertwined with the Monterey Jazz Festival. Since its first appearance at the festival in 1963, Gerald and his band have appeared nine times—10 as of September 2007. For the 20th annual festival in 1977, founder Jimmy Lyons asked Wilson to compose an extended work, “Happy Birthday Monterey.” Gerald followed that with “Theme For Monterey” for the 1997 festival (which was nominated for two Grammy’s two years later). And at this year’s 50th anniversary Monterey Jazz Festival, Wilson unveils “Monterey Moods,” the moving suite that is the focus of his new CD.
           
The music on Monterey Moods is informed by Wilson’s experiences and observations over the years at the festival. “I never went to the festival until I played there,” says Wilson, of his 1963 MJF debut. “Now I go all the time—my wife Josefina and myself—even if I’m not playing. I love it for the same reason that the people go there. We’re all focused on two things: jazz music and romance.” 
           
Romance? “Yes!” Gerald asserts. “I think that’s what makes the Monterey Jazz Festival so unique is the people that go there. It’s different from any festival I’ve ever been to. Everybody’s relaxing in such a beautiful setting.  The people really make it because there are so many husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends. Love and romance is such a big part of that festival.”
           
An Angeleno since 1942, Wilson has the cream of the New York jazz players on Monterey Moods: trumpeters Jon Faddis, Terell Stafford, Jimmy Owens, Sean Jones and Frank Greene; trombonists Dennis Wilson, Luis Bonilla, Jay Ashby and Doug Purviance; saxophonists Steve Wilson, Antonio Hart, Ron Blake, Kamasi Washington and Ronnie Cuber; pianist Renee Rosnes; bassists Peter Washington and Todd Coolman; and drummer Lewis Nash; as well as Wilson’s son, acclaimed guitarist Anthony Wilson who all bring their special talents to the album. The album was produced by Al Pryor.

The golden anniversary commission for the festival made Wilson ponder the event’s significance to him. “I had to give it a little thought,” he confesses. “I put it up to my family—my wife and my grandkids.” Gerald knew that romance would be the underlying theme, and he knew that he would take it through a variety of motifs. “My wife, Jo, came up with the title,” says Gerald. “I wrote the piece in the different moods of jazz: the ballad, the blues, the hard swing, the waltz, allegro—or fast tune—and the swing Latin form.”
           
No stranger to Latin music, Wilson innovated the corrida or bullfight strain in jazz composition. His popular “Viva Tirado” has been recorded at least 18 times. 
           
Guest star Laws is someone who impressed Wilson many years ago. “He was with the Jazz Crusaders,” Gerald recalls. “I was at Jazz City with Buddy Collette’s group and they came in the day they got into town in 1958. They could all play and Hubert was playing alto sax then. He played so good, it was unbelievable. Over the years he’s just gotten better, so it’s a dream come true to have him on this album.”
           
Monterey Moods will be premiered live at the 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival on September 22, 2007.

Gerald Wilson Orchestra • Monterey Moods (MAC 1039)
Mack Avenue • Release date: September 25, 2007 

For media information, please contact Brad Riesau at DL Media West
909-744-0704 • brad@jazzpublicity.com

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