originally published: 04/24/2023

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson begins Spring 2023 with an array of scheduled performances and activities showcasing his versatility, sense of community and collaborative spirit. One performance will take place May 6th at Jazz Vespers at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark.

A pair of free church performances in early May will offer audiences an opportunity to hear Wilson with two of his stunning trio line-ups:

On May 1st at 1:00pm, the Wilson/Rosnes/Washington Trio will perform a free concert at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City, as part of the church’s Jazz At One Series. Featuring Renee Rosnes on piano and Peter Washington on bass, the Trio is known for an elegant, understated alchemy. The event will also be livestreamed here.

Wilson’s second free concert will take place on Saturday, May 6th at Jazz Vespers at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. This event will highlight the Steve Wilson Trio featuring pianist Miki Yamanaka and Ed Howard on bass. Showtime is 6:00pm. For 150 years, The Bethany Baptist Church of Newark has been one of the leading African American houses of worship, and for 20 of those years, the Church has featured monthly jazz in its Saturday evening Vesper services.

From May 26th to 28th, Wilson will return to Birdland Theater in New York City for two sets each night, at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. At Birdland, Wilson will feature The Analog Band with pianist Ray Angry, bassist Corcoran Holt and Willie Jones, III on drums. Concert and ticket details will soon be available here.

In other news, Steve Wilson has an album in the works with long-time collaborator, drummer Lewis Nash. The project will be released in September 2023 on the prestigious European label Red Records (Italy), with additional details to be announced soon. Featuring live Wilson/Nash performances from the Orvieto Umbria Jazz Winter Festival #21, and recorded on December 30, 2013 and January 1, 2014 at the Museo Emilio Greco in Terni Italy, the upcoming release includes the tunes Con Alma (D. Gillespie), Señor Blues (H.E. Silver), We See (T. Monk), Equinox (J. Coltrane), Chelsea Bridge (B. Strayhorn), Freedom Jazz Dance (E. Harris), Misterioso (T. Monk), Island Birdie (M. Tyner), Shiny Stockings (F. Foster), and Caravan (J. Tizol).

Looking ahead, Steve Wilson is pleased to share the news that he has commissioned renowned composer/pianist/arranger/conductor Billy Childs to write a piece for him with wind ensemble. The premiere will be in the Spring of 2025 and is expected to involve universities from across the country. Remarkably, two full years in advance, five colleges have already joined the consortium and have become co-commissioners: West Chester University (West Chester, PA), University of Northern CO (Greely, CO), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI), University of South Florida (Tampa, FL), and Bowling Green State (Bowling Green, OH). This list is expected to grow in the months and years ahead.

As an in-demand and passionate educator and jazz historian, Wilson values the involvement of Universities in his upcoming commission. He is the Director of Jazz Studies at City College of New York and is Co-Director of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute Program for Jazz. On March 31st and April 1st, he will serve as a Mentor during International Ellington at the Rose Theater at Jazz @ Lincoln Center. In addition, Steve Wilson conducts clinics and master classes around the world.