Don Wilkerson
The archetypal big-toned Texas tenor of Don Wilkerson was unfortunately not documented on record as much as the quality of his music deserved; he was an excellent, earthy soul-jazz saxophonist capable of playing blues, ballads, bop, swing, and gospel-tinged R&B. Wilkerson was born in Moreauville, LA, in 1932, and first learned the alto sax; by his teens, he had moved to Houston and was accomplished enough on tenor to play with R&B outfits headed by Amos Milburn and Charles Brown. Wilkerson played on some of Ray Charles' earliest recording sessions in the mid-'50s, taking memorable solos on classics like "I Got a Woman," "This Little Girl of Mine," and "Hallelujah I Love Her So." He also led a band in Miami for a short time, and participated in numerous jam sessions with Cannonball Adderley. Adderley produced Wilkerson's first recording session, a 1960 date for Riverside titled The Texas Twister. After another short stint with Charles, he signed with Blue Note and recorded three stellar, soulful albums over 1962-1963: Elder Don, Preach, Brother!, and Shoutin', all of which featured Grant Green on guitar. Unfortunately, none was very successful, and Wilkerson didn't record any further as a leader. He remained in Houston for most of his life and passed away on July 18, 1986.
© Steve Huey /TiVo
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Preach Brother!
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on 1 Jan 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Shoutin' (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on 1 Jan 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tree Without Duty
Film Soundtracks - Released by Don Wilkerson on 2 Dec 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Elder Don (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on 1 Jan 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Complete Blue Note Sessions
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on 13 Feb 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Texas Twister (2018 Digitally Remastered)
Jazz - Released by AVID Jazz on 2 Mar 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nightingale
Jazz - Released by oldies and hits for future on 23 May 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Fun And Sophistication
Jazz - Released by Records on 20 Mar 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Just at the Turn of the Tide
Jazz - Released by turn of the tide on 25 Apr 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Man At His Leisure
Jazz - Released by classics & more on 19 Jul 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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