To kick off a panel discussion about the arts of the Harlem Renaissance and the life of W.E.B. DuBois, jazz star Gerald Wilson will conduct the Ohio University Jazz Ensembles.A trumpet player, composer and arranger, Wilson has been one of the most prominent musicians of the 20th century, beginning his career in 1939 at age 20, with the Jimmie Lunceford band, a big-band orchestra known for its distinctive swing rhythm. He later wrote arrangements and originals for artists such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Benny Carter and Billie Holiday. The 89-year-old took a moment to chat with The Post’s Katherine Bercik.
The Post: How did you get started with jazz?
Gerald Wilson: Actually I came from a family of musicians: my mother’s a pianist, and my brother’s a pianist and my sister’s a pianist. They all played some jazz; except my mother, she didn’t play any jazz. And so that’s how I got into music. My mother started me on the piano (at the age of four).
Post: What was it like to play with the Jimmie Lunceford band?
Wilson: The Jimmie Lunceford band was at the time was considered to be one of the greatest bands in the country … I was lucky enough to get a job with them and I stayed with them for three years. And then, when I was inducted into the Navy, I played in the Navy band for two years. After that, I played with the Count Basie band for two years, and then the Benny Carter orchestra. And after that I formed my own orchestra, and since that time, I began to write a lot for other people.
Post: If you could go back and redo anything or replay a performance, which one would you want to redo and why?
Wilson: Actually I love jazz, of course, love jazz. But I also wouldn’t have (just gone to) Los Angles for the money. I conducted a lot of my orchestrations in Los Angeles for the money…. at this time, you asked me about what I’d like to go back to, but jazz is really—everything in my life is jazz. That’s what I do now, and travel all over the world. Post: What do you think of our campus here at OU?Wilson: Oh it’s great, it’s great here. And I’ve been to Columbus, Ohio, before. I came (to Columbus) when I was about 17 years old when I was going to school in Detroit. Something else: my teacher in Detroit, who was the head of the music department, was from Columbus, Ohio.
Post: What is your opinion of the contemporary forms of music — like R&B, hip hop and rock ‘n roll — that came from jazz?
Wilson: I like all the music, all of the different things that we have. I listen to all music, too.
Post: Did you ever imagine one day that you’d be considered a legend?
Wilson: No, not at all, but I was always hoping that I would be successful.
Post: You are going to be inducted in the Monterey Jazz Festival Hall of Fame. What is that like for you?
Wilson: Oh yes, that’ll be next week. (May) 2, I will be inducted into the Monterey Jazz Festival Hall of Fame (founded in 1958). That’s a great honor because I have been associated with them for many years…. At present, I am already commissioned to write a number for the Columbus Jazz Orchestra — Columbus, Ohio — and I’m also commissioned, at this time, to write a special composition for the 30th anniversary of the Detroit (International) Jazz Festival. So, that’s what I’ve been doing. I’m already booked for those years.
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