Glenn Wilson

Glenn Wilson 
Normal, IL
Grant amount: $5,000

About the Artists

Glenn Wilson has been a professional jazz saxophonist for 50 years. The All Music Guide called him "an unsung hero in modern jazz". After completing his undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University in 1977, Glenn moved to New York City, where he worked and recorded with The Buddy Rich Band, Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Tito Puente, Machito, Bill Kirchner Nonet, Bob Belden Ensemble, and scores of other jazz and latin-jazz groups.

Glenn recorded his first CD as a leader, the highly-reviewed Impasse, in 1984 for Cadence Records. In 1988, Glenn began his association with Sunnyside Records with the release of Elusive. Three more CDs with Sunnyside - Bittersweet, Blue Porpoise Avenue, and One Man's Blues - as well as a recording for Timeless Records, Lee's Keys Please, followed in the next decade.

Glenn also appeared on over 25 jazz recordings as a sideman during this time. Glenn's CDs are featured in the Penguin Guide of Jazz and The Grammophone Guide to Good Jazz, and he has also received a National Endowment for the Arts Grant and has been featured in the DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll in the Baritone Saxophone category.

From 1991-2001 Glenn was an active member of the jazz community in Virginia, Washington DC, and Baltimore. He performed numerous times at The Kennedy Center and Blues Alley Jazz Club. In 1993 he recorded with pianist Bruce Hornsby on Harbor Lights and joined Bruce's band. With Bruce, he was featured on "VH1 Center Stage," "Austin City Limits" and "Arsenio Hall," and received a gold record for his playing and arrangements on Harbor Lights.

Glenn's recording Devil's Hopyard, with his group TromBari, (featuring trombonist Jim Pugh) was released in 2012 and Glenn released Timely on Cadence Jazz Records in 2015, which made many critics' Album of the Year lists. His latest recording, Sadness and Soul, with pianist Chip Stephens, has been highly-reviewed.

Glenn leads an active touring schedule performing in concerts, clubs and workshops around the country. Glenn was Director of Jazz at Illinois Wesleyan University after teaching at the University of Illinois (where he earned a Masters in Jazz Performance) in the jazz department since 2006.

Wilson's non-profit, Further Jazz, Inc. produces jazz events in Illinois and beyond and is dedicated to fostering, promoting and advancing greater knowledge, understanding and appreciation of jazz music. Glenn can be reached at www.jazzmaniac.com

Rory Stuart is a critically acclaimed jazz guitarist and composer based in New York As a leader, he has CDs that have received 4 stars in Downbeat, and been voted 10 best of the year in Coda and Cadence. He has performed around the world, including Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden, Argentina, Singapore, Canada, Greece, India, Brazil, Italy, Bahamas, Israel, Chile, Austria, Iceland, Columbia, Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Germany, Poland, and across the United States. His Quartet regularly performs to sold-out crowds in New York City as well.

Rory has performed as leader or co-leader in groups with George Garzone, Billy Harper, John Ellis, Jaleel Shaw, Glenn Wilson, Ernie Krivda, Robert Glasper, Armen Donelian, Marc Copland, Kevin Hayes, Jason Lindner, Cecil Bridgewater, Jack Walrath, Sheila Jordan, Jean Rohe, Becca Stevens, Anthony Cox, Reggie Workman, Francois Moutin, Matt Penman, Brandon Owens, Chris Tordini, John Lockwood, Doug Weiss, Calvin Hill, Chip Jackson, Keith Copeland, John Riley, Dan Weiss, Ari Hoenig, Dafnis Prieto, and Obed Calvaire. A recent trio featured Rajna Swaminathan on mrdangam, and Francesco Geminiani on saxophone. In 2016, he performed with Greg Osby, Dave Douglas, Mark Soskin, Matt Penman,and Greg Hutchinson as part of the NYJazzMasters.

As a sideman, he worked with a wide variety of jazz artists, including Charlie Rouse, Charles Earland, Steve Nelson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ernie Krivda, Larry Coryell, Bill Doggett, Makanda Ken McIntyre, Bill Saxton, and the Keith Copeland Coalition with John Stubblefield and Joe Locke. He performed in Europe in Steve Coleman's band with Geri Allen, Graham Haynes, and Cassandra Wilson, and is considered an early contributor to the MBASE movement. He appeared as a guest with Vincent Herring's group in Switzerland and with Michael Wolff in Innsbruck, Austria.

Rory also teaches at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where he designed and teaches the advanced rhythm curriculum. He has led the rhythm area at New School since 1992, and recently received the Recognition of Teaching Excellence Award, the school's highest honor to faculty. He also has taught around the world, including directing workshops in Singapore (Jazz at the Red Dot, 2017 and 2018), Italy (Veneto Jazz, 2011-2108), and Seoul Korea (2007-2008), teaching workshops in Poland, (NY Jazz Masters 2016 and 2019), Argentina (La Plata), Austria (Jazz Outreach), Columbia (Bucaramanga), and Switzerland (Jazz Langnau), and giving presentations at Berkelee College of Music, International Association of Jazz Educators (NY, 2001 and 2007), International Rhythmic Studies Association (2015), and the International Society for Improvised Music (2014). In addition, he has taught clinics in India, Chile, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Denmark, and, as a Fulbright Scholar, in Czech Republic, Sweden, Austria, Greece, Portugal, Germany, and Iceland. The list of his former students reads like a 'Who's Who' of rising young jazz artists.

He has received grants from Meet the Composer and the National Endowment for the Arts. He was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award for 2013-2014. He's been interviewed in CADENCE, and a feature article on him appeared in GUITAR PLAYER.

Rory's recently published 6-volume book series ('The Rhythm Book') is supported by more than 2,000 mp3s. According to NEA Jazz Master saxophonist Dave Liebman, 'Rory Stuart has done an amazing job leaving no stone unturned in the rhythmic universe. I am sure that [Stuart's books] will be required reading in the field, setting the standard for future research on rhythm.' Christian Salfellner, Professor of Rhythm, University of Musik, Graz, Austria said 'I think these are the best rhythm books I've ever seen. These books will become a standard; they are so detailed and well thought out' The books (including previews) are available at The Rhythm Books