Jazz From Peter Gunn - Joe Wilder

 

Jonna

Jazz From Peter Gunn

The Joe Wilder Quartet

Music By Henry Mancini

From The TV Series "Peter Gunn"

Featuring Craig Stevens & Lola Albright

Recorded January 18, 1959 - New York City

Columbia CL 1319

Joe Wilder - Trumpet

Milt Hinton - Bass

Hank Jones - Piano

John Cresci, Jr. - Drums

From the back cover: The son of a musician, Joseph Benjamin Wilder was born in Colwyn, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1922. Educated in Philadelphia, Joe joined Les Hite's band in 1941, working with another, somewhat frantic trumpeter name Gillespie. Then, during 1942 and 1943, he was part of the violently swinging band led by Lionel Hampton. That tour of duty was interrupted by the draft board and for the next two years Joe played trumpet for the United States Marines, from which he graduated with the title of "Assistant Bandmaster" – with rank to match.

Immediately afterwards, he returned to the din of Hampton's brass section, moving on from there to Jimmie Lunceford's last crew and then for short periods, he served with Lucky Millinder, Sam Donahue, Herbie Fields and Count Basie, making a European tour with the latter in 1954.

After this jazzman's basic training, Joe settled in New York. For three years, he played in the pit orchestra of the Broadway hit Guys and Dolls – studying for his B.A. Degree at the same time at the Manhattan School of Music.

For the past few years, Joe Wilder has been working steadily in New York, as a staff member of a network TV orchestra, in symphony orchestras and on hundreds of recordings. His superb technique and extraordinary adaptability have mad hime one of the most sought-after musicians in New York – so much in demand that – until Columbia Records signed him early in 1959, his jazz appearances were becoming regrettably rare.

Joined by three recording studio cohorts – Milt Hinton, Hank Jones and Johnny Cresci – who just happened to be three of the busiest and best jazzmen around, Joe took on this first Columbia assignment with a maximum of enthusiasm. Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn music was perfect for the kind of free-wheeling date that Joe had been wanting to do. There were blues to blow and Basie-like riff patterns to swing, and some lovely little melodies to make even prettier.

Joe's arrangements are clean and spare - managing to convey much of Mancini's original intentions, but leaving ample room for extended solos. Joe himself takes on most of the solo work and whether displaying his gorgeous open horn tome or working with mutes, he is always clearly and cleanly Joe Wilder – a distinct and happy new sound on the jazz scene.

Jacket note: We wish to thank Bill Randle of radio station WERE in Cleveland, Ohio, for his aid in the planning and production of this records. Aside from being one of the most astute citizens of the popular music world, Bill also has been a long-standing crusader for jazz and folk music. His suggestions, encouragement and enthusiasm helped make the record possible.

From Billboard - May 30, 1959: Listenable stylings of the well-known themes from TV's "Peter Gunn." There are other packages available on the same, but the quartet's rhythmic and direct style under Joe Wilder's lead make the LP a strong contender for sales.

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