On Sunday 27th October we begin the start of a ten date tour, labelled Saxophone Giants which will be headed up by the much loved, virtuoso tenor player Jean Toussaint, former band member of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. He will be joined by two more recent members of Wilson’s band, rising star, Reuben James, who…
Read more SAXOPHONE GIANTS – TOUR KICKS OFF AT CALSTOCK JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
Photo credit: Benjamin Amure taken at Ronnie Scott’s on 2nd May 2012 Last week we had our first rehearsal for the Tribute to Abram Wilson gig (20th November, London Jazz Festival) at Premises Studios. Premises have been incredibly supportive over the last few months and this is probably a good moment to thank Viv Broughton…
Read more THE MUSIC LIVES ON – REHEARSAL FOR LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2013
Photo credit: Benjamin Amure The countdown begins…exactly two months today on Wednesday 20th November at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, we will be paying tribute to Abram’s life with a concert celebrating his music from the final years of his career. The gig will feature close friends and musical associates, including members of his talented young rhythm section who accompanied…
Read more LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2013 – A TRIBUTE TO ABRAM WILSON
Photo credit: Benjamin Amure Today would have been Abram’s 40th birthday. I can imagine what he would be doing if he were here, he’d have already been up for at least five hours (it’s nearly 8:30am). He’d have gone for a run, gone to the gym to lift some weights, come home, showered, used up…
For those of you who haven’t heard of United Vibrations, they were formed nine years ago by three brothers, Kareem Dayes, Ahmad Dayes, and Yussef Dayes. They began as an octet and then about five years ago scaled things down to a quartet, with Wayne Francis II joining as the fourth band member. Their…
Photo credit: Benjamin Amure The legendary Jean Toussaint has received a wonderful review for his recent performance at Ronnie Scott’s. Toussaint will be heading up the Abram Wilson Foundation 2013 Autumn Tour alongside American tenor player Keith Loftis and a fiery young rhythm section: Reuben James – piano, Dave Hamblett – drums and Mark Lewandowski – double bass.…
Read more “WORLD CLASS TENOR SAXOPHONIST” – REVIEW OF JEAN TOUSSAINT AT RONNIE SCOTT’S
Photo: Laura Vakil (trustee), Flo Butler (trustee), Laura Palmer (trustee), Jennie Cashman Wilson (CEO & founder) Today is a year since we gathered on London’s South Bank, in 30 degree heat, to say goodbye to a friend, brother, son and husband. It was a day of joy and celebration with fellow musicians, friends and fans…
Read more MOVING ON – THE TRUSTEES, A NEW BASSIST AND GREATNESS
Photo Credits: Benjamin Amure & Tracy Young Photography The Band I am delighted to be able to announce the first set of UK tour dates for a group of exceptionally fine jazz musicians: Jean Toussaint – tenor and soprano sax Keith Loftis – tenor sax Reuben James – piano Alex Davis – double bass Dave Hamblett –…
Read more SAXOPHONE GIANTS: 10 DATE AUTUMN 2013 TOUR ANNOUNCED
Photo Credit: Benjamin Amure Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of talking to the lovely Tom Mallow for his Cultural Review show. We chatted about Abram and the Foundation before Tom played a half hour interview he recorded with Ab about a year and a half/two years ago. It’s wonderful to listen to Abram…
Photo Credits: Benjamin Amure & Ruth Chandler This post is a wee bit on the late side. I really should have updated y’all on the tremendous success of the events that took place in memory of Abram at Birmingham Town Hall & Symphony Hall (THSH) on 4th June ages ago. But, the one year anniversary…