• Genre: Jazz
• Active: '60s, '70s
• Instrument: Sax (Tenor)

Biography

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, All Music Guide

Representative Songs:

"Dem Tambourines," "Señorita Eula," "Camp Meetin'"

Representative Albums:

Elder Don, Shoutin', Preach, Brother!

Similar Artists:

Monk Higgins

Worked With:

Edgar Willis, Jerry Wexler, David "Fathead" Newman, John Hunt, Margie Hendrix, Ahmet Ertegun, Mickey Baker, Wallace Davenport, Hank Crawford, Marcus Belgrave, Ray Charles

The Complete Blue Note Sessions Buy this CD

Shoutin' Buy this CD

Preach, Brother! Buy this CD

Elder Don Buy this CD

The Texas Twister Buy this CD

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