Wilson was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 3, 1936. He moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana when he was seven years old. He studied piano at Fort Wayne College of Music from 1949 to 1954. He was exposed to George Shearing’s music during this period. Wilson began playing tenor saxophone in high school and started performing as a leader in small groups. He was just fifteen years old when he joined the Fort Wayne Musicians Union (Local58). He was 17 when he began playing in James Moody’s band for a two-week period as a substitute piano. Wilson graduated from Central High School. He spent a year and a half at Indiana University. There he met Slide Hampton and Freddie Hubbard. He began touring with a rock’n roll band and ended up in Columbus, Ohio where he met Nancy Wilson and Rahsaan Rot Kirk. Wilson spent a year in Columbus before moving to Atlantic City to lead the Cotton Club’s house band. He now has an organ. He met Dinah Washington at the Club, where he worked with her from 1957 to 1958. Wilson returned to Chicago and played with Gene Ammons (Sonny Stitt), Eddie Harris, and Al Hibbler. He spent his longest time there with Richard Evans, the Persian Lounge bassist. This was where Jack recorded his debut album, Richard’s Almanac, July 21-23 1959. He was drafted into the Army and went to Fort Stewart in GA where he became the first Black music director of the Third Army Area. He also played tenor saxophone with the army band. Wilson was discharged from the Army in 1961 after being diagnosed with diabetes. From 1961 to 1962, he returned to Dinah Washington’s group. Buddy Collette encouraged him to move to Los Angeles. Jack Wilson worked in Los Angeles for Lou Donaldson and Herbie Mann. Jackie McLean, Johnny Griffin, and Lou Donaldson. He was often in and out the studio for film, recording and television work. He did stints with Sammy Davis Jr. and Sarah Vaughan.
