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Abram Wilson

Air represents Abram Wilson in the following areas: Media Tours
Abram Wilson

Gigs

Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1975, at nine years old, Abram received his first trumpet and after being taught his first note by his mother, he immediately began learning songs from the radio and developing his own method of ear training. At 13 he was elected to front his 75-piece school band as drum major and at 17, Abram earned a music scholarship to Ohio Wesleyan University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education. Abram went on to study at the world renowned Eastman Conservatory in Rochester, New York where he attained his masters, studying jazz performance and composition

Upon graduating from Eastman, Abram moved to New York where he started his own band incorporating both his vocal and trumpet skills. By now he was regularly performing with the Roy Hargrove Big Band and with rhythm and blues legend, Ruth Brown, appearing on her Good Day for the Blues release. Coming to London in 2002, Abram quickly made links to some of the best artists here and, before long, was booked to appear as part of the Julian Joseph Big Band. A chance meeting with the directors of Dune Records at a jam session at London’s Jazz Café meant that Abram started working as regular member of various Dune artists’ bands leading to Abram being signed to the label in late- 2003.

In October 2004, Abram launched his career as a solo artist with the release of his debut album for Dune, Jazz Warrior.
Abram and his band supported the release of his album with an impressive UK tour, receiving immense critical and public acclaim. Jazz Warrior resoundingly demonstrated Abram’s acute sense of both tradition and changing times, and seamlessly blends jazz with hip hop, RnB and New Orleans grooves.Also in 2004, Abram was appointed Artist In Residence for Tomorrow’s Warriors Ltd – the sister company of Dune specialising in youth jazz education and professional artist development. In 2005, Abram was nominated for the BBC Award for Best Band and for the MOBO Award for Best Jazz Act 2005.

In March 2006, Abram was appointed Assistant Artistic Director for Tomorrow’s Warriors. Working alongside the Artistic Director, Gary Crosby, Abram is now responsible not only for the company’s education programme but also for the professional/artistic development of members of the company’s core bands, and the live music programme.

In April 2006, Abram was pronounced winner of the top prize in the Jazz Category of the prestigious International Songwriting Competition in Nashville. The world premiere of Ride! in Cheltenham Jazz Festival and the performance at the London Jazz Festival (a sell out) brought the audience to their feet in a roaring standing ovation.

2007 brought a collaboration with the acclaimed London Community Gospel Choir on a new project entitled Roll Jordan Roll. It’s little known that the very first public performances of African-American music in Britain took place as long ago as 1873. The Fisk Jubilee Singers – a group of freed slaves from Tennessee – became a national sensation during the following decade, drawing vast crowds around the country and invitations to sing for Gladstone and the Royal Family. Queen Victoria was so moved by their voices that she commissioned the Singers’ portrait, which today hangs in Fisk University in Nashville – built with the proceeds of their historic tours.

Roll Jordan Roll celebrates these extraordinary events from the perspective of the Jubilee Singers themselves, incorporating their first hand accounts, their personal stories and their songs. The Jubilee Singers’ sheet music archive of spirituals inspires a suite of new works by Abram Wilson and contemporary gospel composer, Nicky Brown.

Other Projects

Ride!

Ride!, commissioned by Cheltenham Jazz Festival under the Jerwood Rising Stars Programme, tells the story of a young man’s journey from his hometown in the Delta to the thrills of the big city, with Wilson’s explosive 10-strong orchestra featuring three bands in one (Abram Wilson Sextet, Delta Blues Trio and Londorleans Brass Band), playing everything from brass-band jazz and delta blues to acoustic hip-hop. Also features a prologue by Rhythm & Blues giant, Dr John, setting the scene for the Ride of your life!

Roll Jordan Roll

It’s little known that the very first public performances of African-American music in Britain took place as long ago as 1873.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers – a group of freed slaves from Tennessee – became a national sensation during the following decade, drawing vast crowds around the country and invitations to sing for Gladstone and the Royal Family. Queen Victoria was so moved by their voices that she commissioned the Singers’ portrait, which today hangs in Fisk University in Nashville – built with the proceeds of their historic tours.

Roll Jordan Roll celebrates these extraordinary events from the perspective of the Fisk Jubilee Singers themselves. Their sheet music archive of spirituals inspires a new suite by award-winning contemporary jazz and gospel composers, Abram Wilson and Nicky Brown – collaborating together for the first time – recounting the individual and collective journeys of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and focussing on their first trip to London and their explosive impact on British society.

With the combined might of Abram Wilson & The Delta Blues Project and London Community Gospel Choir, Roll Jordan Roll is a powerful musical drama telling a remarkable true story.