Steve Wilson & Wilsonian's Grain new CD "Live in New York: The Vanguard Sessions"

Steve Wilson Sets First New Album Release in 12 Years; ‘Steve Wilson & Wilsonian's Grain Live in New York: The Vanguard Sessions’

 Jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson has confirmed his first new album release in over 12 years: ‘Steve Wilson & Wilsonian's Grain Live in New York: The Vanguard Sessions’ signs with Random Act Records. The new CD will feature tracks recorded live at the Village Vanguard on May 24 & 25, 2014, and will showcase Wilson along with the great talents of Orrin Evans on piano, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and Bill Stewart on drums. 

In addition to being Wilson’s first headlining release since 2003’s ‘Soulful Song’, the upcoming album marks a number of other ‘firsts’: Wilson’s first time doing a live recording as a leader, first time recording at the historic Village Vanguard, and first time/debut recording with his ‘go-to-band’, Wilsonian's Grain. The project was also partially financed thanks to the support of 214 contributors to Wilson’s first-ever Kickstarter campaign. 

Wilson's goal for the recording was to capture the distinctive vibe of performing in the Village Vanguard. The room is famous for it's wonderful, warm sound, and Wilson's aim was to capture that essence for the listener. To add to that, the tracks on this recording were chosen and sequenced to reflect his approach to planning a live concert set. Wilson wants fans to “sit back, push play, close your eyes, and enjoy this live experience in the comfort of your own home.”

Track listing: 
Well You Needn't – Thelonious Monk 
Spot It You Got it - Orrin Evans 
Chrysalis – Steve Wilson 
Perry street – Steve Wilson 
Spheresophically – Steve Wilson 
If I Were a Wind of Spring - Migiwa Miyajima 
Patterns - Joe Chambers

Wilson’s long-time Manager, Laura Hartmann of LVanHart Artist Productions, comments: “I didn't get it. When Steve first told me of his idea for a quartet: Orrin Evans, Ugonna Okegwo and Bill Stewart, I didn't get it. But, after the first gig, I was a devout believer. These guys are perfectly mismatched, and are each such creative instigators, their performances are just thrilling. This band is a most adventurous group of musicians, who allow Steve's voice as leader to be heard loud and clear. The root of the music is within the tradition, but be warned, they are anything but traditional! I am so happy for Steve that he's been able to document this band. There will be more believers when they hear it!” 

Scott Elias, President of Random Act Records, said: “Random Act Records is extremely proud to release master saxophonist/composer/bandleader STEVE WILSON's forthcoming album "Wilsononian's Grain - Live in New York." Steve is one of the preeminent jazz musicians of our time. He has absorbed all the knowledge of prior generations, and has expanded the language to make it uniquely his own. This album is a compelling experience: It captures the feeling of attending a live set by supremely talented players, presented at the most venerated jazz club in the world.” 

Wilsonian's Grain’s first gig was at the Kennedy Center Jazz Club, October 17, 2008. It was recorded by NPR and appeared on JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater the week of April 2, 2009. They also appeared on WBGO's The Check Out with Josh Jackson, recorded at the Village Vanguard in March of 2010. They have performed together regularly in the years since. 

Here we present a short video of Steve Wilson where his mastery is evident to the fullest:

Upcoming Wilsonian's Grain 2015 perfomances:

6/3/2015	12pm-1pm	Gateway Complex 1 Gateway Center Newark, NJ	Steve Wilson Quartet with Vic Juris, Jay Anderson, Billy Drummond
6/2/2015 thru 6/6/2015		Birdland 315 West 44th St New York, NY 10036	with Maria Schneider Orchestra
6/9/2015		Mezz Row 163 West 10th Street NY, NY 10014	with Geoffrey Keezer
6/19/2015	8:00pm	Symphony Center 220 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60604	Special Guest with Dana Hall Quintet
6/27/2015		Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz festival Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saratoga Springs, NY	Steve Wilson & Wilsonian's Grain
7/3/2015	6:00pm	The Barnes Foundation 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19130	Steve Wilson/Lewis Nash Duo
7/5/2015	7:00pm	Norwood VIllage Green Band Shell Bernard Ave. Norwood, NY	Guest Artist with All Star Big Band
7/6/2015		Crane School of Music Potsdam, NY	Guest Clinician
7/19/2015 thru 7/26/2015		Centrum Port Townsend, WA	Residency Clinician
7/29/2015	8:00pm	Kaufman Concert Hall 92nd Street Y 92nd St & Lexington Ave. NY, NY	Jazz & Sondheim Side by Side with Bill Charlap, Renee Rosnes, Ann Hampton Calloway, Sean Smith and Matt Wilson
8/1/2015	1-2pm	Newport Jazz Festival Fort Adams State Park Newport, RI	with Maria Schneider Orchestra
8/2/2015		Newport Jazz Festival Newport, RI	with Billy Childs Quartet
8/3/2015 thru 8/8/2015		Samba Meets Jazz Bar Harbour, ME	Artist in Residence
8/21/2015 and 8/22/2015	8:00pm & 10:00pm	Jazz @ Kitano 66 Park Avenue, East 38th St New York NY 10016	Steve Wilson/Lewis Nash Duo
8/18/2015 thru 8/23/2015	7:30pm & 9:30pm	Jazz Standard 116 E. 27th Street NY, NY 10016	with Ron Carter Big band

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