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Don Sickler: "I'm sure you'll notice Jack Wilson's tremendous technical facility as a pianist from our audio clip. Although this is only one side of Jack's playing and writing, it's a good way to introduce Jack Wilson, Jr., because he's certainly in the top handful of lightning-fast players. If developing fast playing is important to you, you can now grab your horn (or your piano) and see if you can keep up with Jack. Obviously, Jackleg will also sound great at a slower tempo."
Don continues: "My discographical research shows that Jack Wilson recorded Jackleg three times. The first was a May 1960 recording listed as "Home Cookin'" / Richard Evans (Argo LP675). I haven't been able to find this release. In my search, I was told by at least one big time record collector that it was never released. Is this true? In the year after the Atlantic recording referenced here, Jack also played the composition (and it was recorded) at the "Lindy Opera House" in Los Angeles (August 9, 1964). That session is listed as "unissued" and I presume would have burnt up in the 1978 Atlantic warehouse fire.
"I'm always amazed at how many jazz musicians don't know about Jack Wilson, Jr. Take the time to check him out—you'll be glad you did."
Transcribed Piano Solo: Our audio excerpt piano starts with the last four measures of the melody section, which ends with a two-measure break written for piano and vibes that sets up Jack's piano solo. Instead of just transcribing Jack's solo, we've also included the opening and closing melody in our transcription, so you get Jack's full arrangement as well.
Pianist Jack Wilson was born in Chicago but moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, at age seven. By his fifteenth birthday, he had become the youngest member ever to join the Fort Wayne Musician’s Union. At the age of seventeen he played a two-week stint as a substitute pianist in James Moody’s band. After graduating from the local high school, Wilson spent a year and a half at Indiana University, where he met Freddie Hubbard and Slide Hampton. He went on to tour with a rock ‘n roll band, which led him to Columbus, Ohio, where he found the then-unknown Nancy Wilson and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. He settled there for a year, then moved to Atlantic City, where he led the house band at the local Cotton Club. Read more...
