Dick Wilson

Dick Wilson (November 11, 1911 – November 24, 1941) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best known for his work with the Andy Kirk big band.

Wilson was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, raised in Seattle, and went to high school in Los Angeles. He started on piano and learned saxophone in Seattle from saxophonist Joe Darensbourg. He became a member of Darensbourg's band in 1930. In 1936, he joined Andy Kirk's Clouds of Joy. Wilson was a member of Kirk's band until 1941 when he died of tuberculosis in New York City.

With Mary Lou Williams and Pha Terrell, Wilson was one of the most striking musical personalities in the band. He cultivated a style that has been compared to Lester Young's because of similar characteristics in their solos.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 11, 1911 (Illinois), Died November 24, 1941 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 101-108 of 108 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 68546 10-in. 1/3/1941 Cuban boogie woogie Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 68547 10-in. 1/3/1941 A dream dropped in Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 68548 10-in. 1/3/1941 Is it a sin (lovin' you) ? Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 68549 10-in. 1/3/1941 Ring dem bells Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69519 10-in. 7/17/1941 Big time grip-1 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69520 10-in. 7/17/1941 47th Street jive Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69521 10-in. 7/17/1941 I'm misunderstood Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 69522 10-in. 7/17/1941 No answer Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
(Results 101-108 of 108 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wilson, Dick," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/211137.

Wilson, Dick. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/211137.

"Wilson, Dick." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/211137

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