Gerald Wilson Orchestra of the 80s - Lomelin (Discovery, 1981)

This post is by Dan

Gerald Wilson (comp, arr); 22-piece big band

Recorded March 13 and 14, 1981

Gerald Wilson died in 2014 at the age of 94. During the 1960s he drew acclaim for a series of big band records for the Pacific Jazz label. He continued to perform and record prolifically well into the 21st century. He preferred truly large bands, numbering 20 pieces or more. His recorded legacy is worth exploring, if only to understand how a leader of large ensembles was able to sustain his art over 60 years.

Leonard Feather's astute liner notes are valuable in explaining Wilson's temporary disappearance from recording as a big band leader during the 1970s. He simply pursued other activities in radio, education, and classical music with the LA Philharmonic! His return to big jazz bands only came when he was ready, and producer Albert Marx was waiting for him. 

Lomelin, named for a famous matador, Antonio Lomelin, is an album of original compositions played by Gerald Wilson's 1980s big band. Wilson's admiration for bullfighting inspired the title composition, which is a crafty arrangement that gives solo space to the trumpet, piano and flutes between statements of the Mexican festival-like theme. My favorite track is "See You Later," which features guitarist Shuggie Otis' bluesy solo. As the solo winds down, the saxes take over with a warm caress that takes the tune out. Awesome stuff!

Marx and the Discovery label are to be credited with creating the opportunity to bring Gerald Wilson back to big band recording. Records like these are easily overlooked if not on "major" labels, but the 1980s were lean years for record producers. Fortunately, the ecosystem of jazz production includes enough smaller and independent labels to ensure sustainability of the art form. The quality of the production on Lomelin is very high; the liner notes are educational and detailed; and the musical performance utterly compelling. 

And if you enjoy big bands, check out Wilson's 1990s releases on the Mama label (State Street Sweet and Theme for Monterey) and his 2000s albums on Mack Avenue (New York New Sound, In My Time, and Detroit).