Don Wilkerson

Don Wilkerson (c. 1932 – 18 July 1986) was an American soul jazz / R&B tenor saxophonist born in Moreauville, Louisiana, probably better known for his Blue Note Records recordings in the 1960s as bandleader with guitarist Grant Green. Prior to signing with the label, he worked frequently with Cannonball Adderley. Some of his earliest recordings were done in the 1950s as a sideman for Amos Milburn and Ray Charles.^[1]

In Houston in the early 1970s, he played in the Sonny Franklin Big Band with Tom Archia, Arnett Cobb, and his bandmate from the Ray Charles band, Joe Bridgewater,^[2] with guest appearances by Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Many of the band's arrangements were done by Cedric Haywood.^[3]

Discography

As Leader

• The Texas Twister (Riverside, 1960)
• Elder Don (Blue Note, 1962)
• Preach Brother! (Blue Note, 1962)
• Shoutin' (Blue Note, 1963)

Compilations

• The Complete Blue Note Sessions (released 2001)

As Sideman

With Ray Charles

• Yes Indeed! (Atlantic, 1958)

References

1. Huey, Steve. "Don Wilkerson Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
2. Lydon, Michael Ray Charles: man and music Routledge, 2004 ISBN 0-415-97043-1, ISBN 978-0-415-97043-3 at Google Books
3. Campbell, Robert L.; Bukowski, Leonard J. and Büttner, Armin "The Tom Archia Discography"