Sunday, June 10, 2012

Bob Shingleton: Abram Wilson, 39, Trumpeter Who Composed “critically acclaimed jazz suite 'Philippa'”


[Abram Wilson (1973-2012)]

Bob Shingleton sends word of the passing of Abram Wilson:

On An Overgrown Path
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Headed for a new life in the stars


Truly shocking news has come of the death from cancer of Arkansas born, New Orleans educated and London domiciled trumpeter, educator and composer Abram Wilson, seen above, at the age of just 39. I came into contact with Abram through our shared passion for the music of Philippa Schuyler. Last October I wrote here about Abram's critically acclaimed jazz suite Philippa and he had recently received an Arts Council grant to develop this project into a theatrical production. Only recently Abram had discussed with me researching scores of Philippa's compositions held at Syracuse University as well as other documents held at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York. What a loss..... Here is the statement from Abram's website.

It is with great sadness that we have to tell you that yesterday afternoon Abram left this earth for a new life in the stars. It was where he was always aiming and where he now belongs. He was an inspiring and wonderful man, one of the world's best jazz trumpeters and a gifted educator and composer. He has touched so many people's lives with his "warmth, passion, virtuosity and soul" and will want to be remembered as such.
............

On Oct. 13, 2011  Bob Shingleton posted news of the suite's premiere in April 2011:


Scored for a quartet of trumpet, string bass, piano and percussion, the movements of the suite include Adventures in Black and White, paying homage to her mixed parentage, The Harlemites, mirroring the circle Philippa's black radical journalist father moved in, and Steak and Potatoes, reflecting the eccentric dietary regime imposed by her white mother.

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