Jazz breaking news: Abram Wilson Dies Age 38
Monday, June 11, 2012
Trumpeter Abram Wilson died on Saturday 9 June after a two-week battle with cancer.
The UK-based musician and educator, who was born and raised in New Orleans, had been touring extensively and had just composed and recorded a new jazz theatre project entitled Philippa, based around the life and times of mixed-race Harlem-born classical pianist, Philippa Schuyler. According to some who saw him at recent performances he was playing at the height of his powers and was brimming with enthusiasm for his new project, which was to be released in September.
A graduate of the Eastman School Of Music in Rochester, New York, early sessions included stints with the Roy Hargrove Big Band and blues legend Ruth Brown. Moving to London in 2002 Wilson had recently been celebrating his tenth year residing in the UK where he’s established himself as a star sideman on Soweto Kinch’s breakthrough album Conversations With The Unseen, plus Jazz Jamaica, Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Julian Joseph Big Band, while his solo career went from strength to strength. Signing to Dune records his 2004 debut Jazz Warrior was followed by his Jerwood commissioned work Ride! – Ferris Wheel To The Modern Day Delta, that he premiered at the Cheltenham and Birmingham jazz festivals in 2006, while his last album for Dune was the ebullient bebop-tinged Life Paintings. Jazzwise extends heartfelt condolences to Abram’s family and friends – he was a huge talent and wonderful human being, who will be deeply and sorely missed.
– Mike Flynn
Photo by Tim Dickeson