Matt Wilson

DIGIPACK EDITION

5 STARS DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE (June 2016)

Returning to the studio as a leader for the first time since his wife Felicia lost her battle with leukemia in June 2014, Wilson convenes the closest members of his extended musical family, including all the members, past and present, of his longest-running ensembles: the Matt Wilson Quartet, Arts & Crafts, and Christmas Tree-O.

The result is an international superband, some musicians dubbing their parts from afar, some joining the drummer-composer in the studio. Covering a wide range of styles and sounds, Matt Wilson’s Big Happy Family recalls nothing less than the various assortments led by Charles Mingus, with a similar atmosphere of swing and sensitivity.

It will have you smiling and weeping all at once. This whole album is likely to have that effect. It is, simply put, one hell of a tribute.

MATT WILSON'S BIG HAPPY FAMILY:

TERELL STAFFORD, trumpet
KIRK KNUFFKE, cornet
JEFF LEDERER, tenor & soprano sax, clarinet
JOEL FRAHM, tenor & soprano sax
ANDREW D'ANGELO, alto sax, bass clarinet
GARY VERSAGE, piano, organ, accordion
LARRY GOLDINGS, piano
MARTIN WIND, acoustic bass
PAUL SIKIVIE, acoustic bass
YOSUKE INOUE, acotic bass
CHRIS LIGHTCAP, acoustic & electric bass
MATT BALITSARIS, acoustic guitarand dobro
MATT WILSON, drums

Recorded on August 19, September 10 & 17, 2015

TRACKS:

01. Score!!
02. Lester
03. Searchlight
04. Beginning of a Memory
05. Request Potato
06. How Ya Goin'
07. Father of the Year
08. Getting Friendly
09. Andrew's Ditty
10. Flowers for Felicia
11. No Outerwear
12. Potato Radio
13. Go Team Go Endless Love
14. 25 Years of Rootabagas
15. Feel the Sway
16. Schoolboy Thug
17. July Hymn