Bert Wilson, saxophonist

Bert Wilson

 Sunday we attended a memorial celebration of the life of Bert Wilson, an Olympia saxophone player who recently passed.  The hall was filled with musicians and friends playing Bert's compositions and telling stories of his amazing life.  I've never seen such a gathering of talent in the same room. It was quite a party.

With plenty of sound equipment on the stage there was room for many to play.  Our buddy Steve Luceno kept calling for musicians to come to the stage, making sure everyone had a chance to honor Bert by playing his music.  People swapped turns on the keyboards, bass, traps, guitar, and horn section.  In between songs we'd see a video of Bert playing or have a friend come up to the  microphone to tell a story about Bert's life. 

There was a lot of emotion in the room.  I took a few pictures.

Musicians friends of Bert, playing Bert's music

Nancy Curtis Wilson and Laura Booker

Ariel Calabria and Joe Baque

Steve Luceno and Laurie Gardener

This from the Seattle Times: 

"Mr. Wilson developed techniques for playing two, and sometimes three notes at the same time, called “multiphonics.” He also extended the range of the tenor saxophone several octaves above the instrument’s normal range, using special fingerings."

Vincent Soluna

Michael Moore and Connie

John Shepard and Susan Tuzzolino with Paul Hjelm lurking behind

This from Doug Ramsey:

"Although not widely known to the jazz public, he was sought out by saxophonists who regarded him as a guru of improvisation, extended techniques and the history of the instrument.

He lived and worked in New York, LA and Berkeley before he settled in Olympia (Washington) in 1979 where his home with flutist Nancy Curtis became the center of the jazz community. It was the site of private lessons, informal jams and public concerts. Struck by polio at the age of 4, Bert Wilson spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair (he became known as “Dr.Wheelz”) but he said discovering Charlie Parker had a larger impact on his life. He also said playing the saxophone was a necessary exercise in strengthening his lungs."