Glenn Wilson is a Youngstown, Ohio, native and Illinois resident. He was an alto saxophone major in college, but his career path is tied to the baritone for one simple reason. He says that he plays the other saxophones, but not as a performer. They don’t have that Glenn Wilson sound. Wilson, at 49, is able to take the baritone’s voice into a deeper, more beefier place than many others. Wilson points out Gerry Mulligan as an example of a player with a deeper and more tenor sound than Wilson’s Pepper Adams-inspired approach. He was an alto major at Youngstown State University. He says that baritone was not considered to be worthwhile so he had all his academic playing done on the smaller horn. But, in the jazz band, he chose baritone as he felt it had a more personal sound. This led to a 14-year career in New York City. He played in his own bands, the Buddy Rich Big Band, and in ensembles created by Bob Belden. He also enjoyed it during his stays in Richmond, Va. and in Normal, Ill. where Janet teaches acting at Illinois State University. Glenn Wilson has a day job, but it’s not a regular one. He is a computer programmer and consultant. However, the tight economy has impacted his ability to do this work. He laughs and says, “So, my music supports my computer work right currently.” His main job is music. As a leader, he has released seven albums and is currently on several others through his work with Rich, Belden, and other musicians. He also has the option of touring, such as the current one where he will do 13 gigs in twelve days. He will be performing twice daily in the same city or near to it at two of his stops. He says that some of the jobs are shorter so it won’t be four-hour shows twice daily. It will be fun to play a lot. It will keep us sharp and have fun. His creative, but traditional approach to jazz allowed him to give standard tunes a new sound and create originals. He has been playing with his quartet since the early ’90s in Richmond, Virginia, including pianist Steve Kessler and bassist Jim Masters. His drummer is Tony Martucci. from http://www.sunnysiderecords.com
