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wilson somers
Somers' Style Influenced by the Jazz Piano Greats
The jazz piano artistry of Wilson Somers flowered during his tenure (1986-1999) as housepianist and band leader for the former Rodney Square Club of Wilmington, Delaware. Itwas during that time that he developed his elegant style of jazz.
Somers' jazz style influences include jazz piano greats Duke Ellington,Dave Brubeck,Nat Cole andOscar Peterson.
Photos Copyright © Herman Leonard Photography L.L.C.
Somers' Work Includes Documentaryand Motion Picture Sound Tracks
In 1999, Somers was approached by Delaware film producer Sharon Kelly Baker ofTeleduction to record piano scores for documentaries on Delaware visual artists.
Of the four films produced by Teleduction, the work about Edward L. Loper earned Somersan Emmy Award for his original jazz compositions and performance.
A new documentary film by Teleduction & Serviam, "With All Deliberate Speed", includesoriginal works by Wilson Somers as well as Somers' piano interpretations of classicSpirituals. Sharon Baker again serves as Senior Producer.
"With All Deliberate Speed" was first broadcast on PBS in Philadelphia on May 17, 2004(marking the 50th anniversary of the
Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision to desegregate U.S. Public Schools)and was re-aired that evening at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Somers' Sound track Work Leads to Debut CD
His seminal CD released in 2000, Wilson Somers jazz composer/pianist with Bill Stumm,bassist, is music from the sound track of Edward Loper: Prophet of Color. The film hasbeen repeatedly broadcast on local NPR stations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Feature original tracks include: Highlighted Rhythm, Waltz for Joan, Jumpin' Jitterbug,Caesar's Mood, Acro-flight and Springtime in Paris. Other features include: Avalon byJolson/DeSylva/Rose, For Heaven's Sake by Meyer/Bretton/Edward, Swing Low, SweetChariot (Trad. Spiritual/Arr. Burleigh) and Johnson Rag by Lawrence/Hall/Kleinkauf.
Somers Second CD Features Classics by the "Duke"
The next year Somers produced Wilson Somers in the footsteps of the duke with selectionsfrom the Ellington/Strayhorn canon with some innovative additions. Balboa Bossa, aSomers' original, was written on the back of a napkin during a flight from the Balboa/Newport Beach California area to Philadelphia.
Feature original track: Balboa Bossa. Duke Ellington feature tracks include: Satin Doll,Mood Indigo, Prelude To A Kiss, Come Sunday, and Heaven. Strayhorn feature track: TakeThe A Train. Other features include: Mojave by Jobim, You Don't Know What Love Is byRaye/DePaul, What A Wonderful World by Weiss/Thiele, and Beautiful Love by Young.
Somers Dedicates Third CD to his Wife, Joan
Wilson Somers forever you followed in 2002 featuring jazz classics of Ellington, Brubeck,John Lewis and more. The title track is Somers' original contribution to the albumdedicated to his wife, Joan. As always, Bill Stumm's bass accompaniment is exceptional.
Read moreTags
Clifford Brown
trumpetRay Brown
bass, acousticDave Brubeck
pianoMiles Davis
trumpetDuke Ellington
pianoLarry McKenna
saxophone, tenorOscar Peterson
pianoPhotos
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson