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Abram Wilson Abram Wilson obituary
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Like his New Orleans compatriot Wynton Marsalis, the jazz trumpeter Abram Wilson, who has died of colon cancer aged 38, was an exponent of quicksilver technique, blues eloquence, rich tone and an understanding of the whole jazz-brass tradition from Louis Armstrong onwards – and like Marsalis, the London-based Wilson was good at talking to audiences about why it mattered. He was a fine vocalist too, with an effortless personal style that joined the graceful lyricism of Nat "King" Cole to the phrasing of a Motown soul singer, and a composer of imagination and breadth.Like his New Orleans compatriot Wynton Marsalis, the jazz trumpeter Abram Wilson, who has died of colon cancer aged 38, was an exponent of quicksilver technique, blues eloquence, rich tone and an understanding of the whole jazz-brass tradition from Louis Armstrong onwards – and like Marsalis, the London-based Wilson was good at talking to audiences about why it mattered. He was a fine vocalist too, with an effortless personal style that joined the graceful lyricism of Nat "King" Cole to the phrasing of a Motown soul singer, and a composer of imagination and breadth.
The son of Willie C Wilson Jr and his wife, Doris, Abram was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He had four brothers and a sister. He toyed with the drums from the age of seven, but was playing the trumpet in the Jefferson Parish school band at nine. Sitting in the family's garage with the trumpet and a radio, he would learn the songs of Stevie Wonder, the Commodores or Sister Sledge by ear. He attended O Perry Walker high school, Louisiana, and then the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, whose alumni included Marsalis and the singer-pianist Harry Connick Jr. Instructors including the trumpeters Ronald Benko and Clyde Kerr furnished Wilson with jazz and classical techniques, and at 17 he won a scholarship to study classical trumpet at Ohio Wesleyan University, followed by a jazz master's at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester University, New York. After graduation, Wilson played with his fellow New Orleans trumpeter Roy Hargrove's big band, and recorded in 1999 with the R&B vocalist Ruth Brown.The son of Willie C Wilson Jr and his wife, Doris, Abram was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He had four brothers and a sister. He toyed with the drums from the age of seven, but was playing the trumpet in the Jefferson Parish school band at nine. Sitting in the family's garage with the trumpet and a radio, he would learn the songs of Stevie Wonder, the Commodores or Sister Sledge by ear. He attended O Perry Walker high school, Louisiana, and then the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, whose alumni included Marsalis and the singer-pianist Harry Connick Jr. Instructors including the trumpeters Ronald Benko and Clyde Kerr furnished Wilson with jazz and classical techniques, and at 17 he won a scholarship to study classical trumpet at Ohio Wesleyan University, followed by a jazz master's at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester University, New York. After graduation, Wilson played with his fellow New Orleans trumpeter Roy Hargrove's big band, and recorded in 1999 with the R&B vocalist Ruth Brown.
In 2002 he moved to London and was soon working in the pianist Julian Joseph's big band, with the bassist and Dune Records co-founder Gary Crosby's classic-jazz group, Nu Troop, and later in Crosby's popular ensemble Jazz Jamaica. When that band shifted to Caribbean-jazz covers of Motown classics, Wilson's silky vocal account of The Commodores' Easy became one of the highlights.In 2002 he moved to London and was soon working in the pianist Julian Joseph's big band, with the bassist and Dune Records co-founder Gary Crosby's classic-jazz group, Nu Troop, and later in Crosby's popular ensemble Jazz Jamaica. When that band shifted to Caribbean-jazz covers of Motown classics, Wilson's silky vocal account of The Commodores' Easy became one of the highlights.
Wilson taught music in London schools, and in 2004 made his debut album for Dune with Jazz Warrior, a mix of contemporary styles grounded in the blues. He became assistant artistic director for the long-running education project Tomorrow's Warriors, run by Crosby and his partner, Janine Irons, and founded a Teenie Warriors programme for nine to 11-year-olds.Wilson taught music in London schools, and in 2004 made his debut album for Dune with Jazz Warrior, a mix of contemporary styles grounded in the blues. He became assistant artistic director for the long-running education project Tomorrow's Warriors, run by Crosby and his partner, Janine Irons, and founded a Teenie Warriors programme for nine to 11-year-olds.
He won first prize in the jazz category at Nashville's International Songwriting Competition for his composition Monk in 2005. And a 2006 Cheltenham Jazz festival commission produced Ride! Ferris Wheel to the Modern Day Delta – a splicing of blues, bebop, brass-band music, Charles Mingus ensemble sounds and hip-hop, with a prologue on the CD version from the Louisiana R&B performer Dr John thrown in. Roll Jordan Roll in 2007, a tribute to the Fisk Jubilee Singers with the gospel producer Nicky Brown and the historian Viv Broughton, also drew widespread acclaim. Wilson roamed the Young Vic's stage in 2008 as the trumpet-improvising Egungun (an embodiment of ancestral spirits) in Tarell Alvin McCraney's play In the Red and Brown Water.He won first prize in the jazz category at Nashville's International Songwriting Competition for his composition Monk in 2005. And a 2006 Cheltenham Jazz festival commission produced Ride! Ferris Wheel to the Modern Day Delta – a splicing of blues, bebop, brass-band music, Charles Mingus ensemble sounds and hip-hop, with a prologue on the CD version from the Louisiana R&B performer Dr John thrown in. Roll Jordan Roll in 2007, a tribute to the Fisk Jubilee Singers with the gospel producer Nicky Brown and the historian Viv Broughton, also drew widespread acclaim. Wilson roamed the Young Vic's stage in 2008 as the trumpet-improvising Egungun (an embodiment of ancestral spirits) in Tarell Alvin McCraney's play In the Red and Brown Water.
Wilson's last album for Dune was Life Paintings (2010), inspired by his own personal history. This year he was leading a classy septet, including the saxophonists Jean Toussaint and Peter King, on an Olympic Games-inspired venture.Wilson's last album for Dune was Life Paintings (2010), inspired by his own personal history. This year he was leading a classy septet, including the saxophonists Jean Toussaint and Peter King, on an Olympic Games-inspired venture.
A review about Wilson published earlier this year anticipated a 2012 brimming with promise. He told a West End audience of his hopes that a musical biography he was performing, about the American pianist-turned-reporter Philippa Schuyler, might turn into a play.A review about Wilson published earlier this year anticipated a 2012 brimming with promise. He told a West End audience of his hopes that a musical biography he was performing, about the American pianist-turned-reporter Philippa Schuyler, might turn into a play.
Wilson is survived by his wife, Jennie, his siblings and his parents.Wilson is survived by his wife, Jennie, his siblings and his parents.
• Abram Wilson, musician, born 30 August 1973; died 9 June 2012• Abram Wilson, musician, born 30 August 1973; died 9 June 2012