ON THE ROLL

Description

Ernest Brooks Wilkins Jr. (July 20, 1922 - June 5, 1999) was an arranger-composer-saxophonist who worked for the biggest names in jazz. He is best known for his collaboration with Count Basie’s orchestra, but also with Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition, he was the musical director for some albums by Cannonball Adderley, Dinah Washington, Oscar Peterson, and Buddy Rich. In Denmark, he formed the "Almost Big Band" for which he wrote. This idea was partly inspired by his wife Jenny. At that time, Denmark had many excellent jazz musicians who mingled with expatriate Americans such as Kenny Drew and Ed Thigpen, who also joined the orchestra. The group recorded four albums, but after 1991, Ernest Brooks Wilkins Jr. became too ill to remain effective. Ernie Wilkins died of a heart attack