Welcome to the Vermont Jazz Center’s 5^th Emerging Artist Festival. We are so pleased to present youth jazz ensembles performing at 118 Elliot Gallery and the VJC’s Archive Stage, and a clinic and concert with Grammy-nominated guitarist Dan Wilson.

The VJC Emerging Artist festival is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of up-and-coming musicians who have not yet acquired the name recognition of older artists but strongly deserve to be heard. Dan Wilson is a talent whose career is skyrocketing as demonstrated by his appearance as a headliner at both the Newport and Montreal Jazz Festivals. Called “one of the brightest new talents on the instrument today” by Pat Metheny, his sound clearly communicates how jazz is an inclusive music that thrives on adapting the most recent trends that are often conceived by Black artists. Wilson will be performing with his longstanding quartet that includes pianist Glenn Zaleski, Paul Thompson on bass, and Dave Throckmorton on drums.

The Emerging Artist Festival is designed as an educational event that gives musicians of all ages the opportunity to learn from young masters. It also gives a chance for student musicians from area high schools, colleges, and universities to perform, learn and be inspired by each other and to glean from the headliner’s wisdom and support.

About  Dan Wilson
Dan Wilson’s musical path began in the church community of his hometown of Akron, Ohio. His influences include Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and George Benson, but his musical identity has been shaped by everything from gospel and blues to traditional jazz, hip-hop and horn players like Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.

In an interview on Yes Jazz Matters Podcast, Wilson stated “I’ve always been of the opinion that Black music exists in a continuum, especially in the African-American tradition: blues, spirituals, gospel jazz, hip-hop, they all have the same root. So, to transition from one to another is a lot of the time, seamless.” He points out that R&B, soul and especially the music of Stevie Wonder has been particularly influential in his development, saying “when I landed on Stevie Wonder I heard all the stuff I loved about jazz like “Summer Soft” from Songs in the Key of Life, which goes through all these complex harmonic changes. That’s what I mean about the music existing in a continuum. I put Stevie Wonder up there as a composer [not as an orchestrator] with Duke Ellington…the strength of his songs, they’re timeless.”

After graduating with a music degree from Hiram College, Wilson went on to tour the world three years with Joey DeFrancesco’s organ trio. His appearance on DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom album earned him a Grammy nomination. Wilson then spent four years with Christian McBride’s Tip City. Wilson has had the honor of sharing the stage with jazz greats including Lewis Nash, Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, René Marie, Jeff Hamilton, David Sanborn and Dave Stryker. He can also be heard on recordings and videos with Van Morrison. His current projects include an upcoming tour with NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington.

Wilson’s humility is reflected in his persona, his interviews and in the content of his music. When asked about the title of his latest release (Vessels of Wood and Earth), Wilson says that it comes from a verse from the bible that says “in a great house there are not only vessels of silver and gold but also of wood and earth.” He explained “I took that to mean that a lot of times we see the shiny exterior things and we place such a high value on those, but those are not the things that are holding up the house. It’s the things that you can’t see.” Wilson appreciates the behind-the-scenes musicians who so conscientiously contribute to the sound of his group, and how the engine of his music is the rhythm section. His music is about collaboration, group sound and respect for the big picture.