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Steinway Festival on the BBC with Cesar Correa/Alex Wilson In March I was fortunate enough to share the stage with one of Europe's foremost latin
pianists Cesar Correa for the Steinway Festival in London. You can listen to the concert on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 19th May
and thereafter for a week. Listen
Youtube Trailer for the new "Alex Wilson Trio" album
Get a taste of the new album and the musicians behind it by watching the newly released trailer
You can buy the album HERE
Watch us rehearse for the "Trio Mali Latino" shows
This is our first meeting and rehearsal as the new trio - forming the concepts ready to accompany our guest artists Omar Puente and Rene Alvarez at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on the 4th May
Courtney Pine endorses new "Alex Wilson Trio" album
"Alex Wilson has produced a piano trio with a difference. The sound is unlike any that I have heard before connecting strands of music that go way back to Africa right up to modern day popular western music with an abundance of jazz in between. This innovatory sound makes this a must have item for 2013. A piano trio album that is unique, brilliant and embraces all the good things about jazz. If you love ( jazz ) music you must have this record in your collection. Real talk" - Courtney Pine order now
Sneak preview of the new album "Alex Wilson Trio"
"Brimful of energy and ideas, this album is a strong statement about the breadth and interconnections of Alex Wilson's musical heritage, particularly the equatorial currents linking West African music with the music of the Caribbean and Latin America."
Released in April 2013 - PRE-ORDER
HERE
New Project Launched in June 2013 - Trio Mali Latino
As a sequel to the success of the 2010 Mali Latino project, the exciting second chapter uses the core of the original rhythm section to form TRIO MALI LATINO. Jazz and Latin rhythms stripped back to their African roots – yet fresh, vibrant and definitely modern. With Ahmed Fofana (vocals, guitar, balafon, ngoni, djembe, foulaflé), Venezuelan Edwin Sanz (multi-percussion and drums) and Alex Wilson (piano, Hammond, synth, bass pedals). Grab tickets for the first concerts:
Go Behind the Scenes for my Asia-Australia Tour
Click here for over 200 photos that document an exciting journey which included a sold out show at the Sydney Opera House and a rapturous reception in Tokyo plus amazing visits of the Hong Kong mountains while on tour with Rodrigo y Gabriela.
To view the gallery on facebook click here.
Rodrigo y Gabriela feat. Alex Wilson Europe Tour
On the road again with Rodrigo y Gabriela - this time in an exciting trio formation - 2 guitars and a piano ... the artists say "we are excited to show fans what can be achieved by
three musicians, 12 strings and 88 keys. Rodrigo added: “We wanted to keep a little bit of that Cuban flavour so people have a taste of the latest album. “I think playing with
Alex will do that. He’s an amazing musician.” Click here for show dates
Win the 8 CD 'Alex Wilson Box Set' YOUTUBE TRAILER
Simply attend one of the UK jazz trio tour dates in October/November below and drop your business card or email address off at the CD desk.
At the end of the tour, a lucky winner will receive all 8 Alex Wilson CDs, featuring the very best in latin jazz, salsa and world music .. click here for more info.
Alex Wilson Trio UK autumn tour - tickets on sale
Catch my piano trio on the road in Oct/Nov in the UK - I bring all my diverse musical experiences back to the piano with powerful backup from Frank Tontoh (drums) and Davide Mantovani
(bass). See the gig schedule for tickets. Preview the trio here
Rodrigo y Gabriela featuring Alex Wilson - touring Nov 12
As a followup to the Area 52 CUBA project, I have been invited to tour Europe with Rodrigo y Gabriela in a trio format - their two guitars plus piano. Check the gig page ... it will be a stormer!
Fuji Rock Festival, Japan with Ernest Ranglin
One of the greatest honours of my career to be chosen by Jamaican guitar legend, Ernest Ranglin, to perform with him in Japan at a mountain resort. The other musicians were Frank Tontoh
(drums) and Nick Cohen (bass). Click here for photos.
16th July 2012 - special guest with the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis
Following an invitation to perform with this most prestigious of groups in 2010, I am delighted to be invited back to participate in the 'Afro-Cuban Fiesta' night at the London Barbican Concert
Hall, also featuring Pedro Martinez and Omar Puente. Watch a bit of the concert here
Rodrigo y Gabriela tour kicks off from Montreux Jazz
My tour with Rodrigo y Gabriela CUBA project as pianist/musical director starts at the Miles Davis Hall at Montreux Jazz Festival on 6th July then on
to North Sea Jazz Festival the next day and a whole host of other concerts. See shows page for more.
Follow me on the US tour with Rodrigo & Gabriela
Click here to get a unique behind the scenes insight into my touring with Rodrigo & Gabriela on our five week tour around the whole of the United States.
Alex Wilson now an Roland endorsed artist
The V-Piano, VK8M Hammond module and Jupiter 80 are my keyboards of choice on the Rodrigo & Gabriela tours. I met with Roland at Brixton Academy where they interviewed me and filmed the keyboards in action - click here to watch.
Sibelius blog article on my work for Rodrigo & Gabriela
I have been using the Avid ProTools and Sibelius software for a decade now for my various music projects and there is a nice mention of this on their home page - click here to read
An Evening with Alex Wilson and Special Guests
On the 28th January at Kings Place in London, I will giving a special concert of my current compositions and projects :Concerto for Kora & Piano, Alex Wilson Trio & Compass Suite South with special guests Soweto Kinch and Jay Phelps. The concert is part of the eXplorations series and you can hear a podcast interview with myself, Soweto Kinch and Jay Phelps here
Salsa Veritas album has just been awarded a 4**** review in January Songlines Magazine "With its punchy horns, swinging percussion and impassioned vocals, Salsa Veritas got my toes tapping from the get-go" Click here to order your copy
is now available for iPhone and Android here ... follow my latest gigs, Youtube videos, blog, twitter and more when you're on the
move!
Arranger and pianist on new Rodrigo & Gabriela album
I am very proud to have arranged and recorded on Rodrigo and Gabriela's forthcoming album 'Area 52' out in Jaunary ... it was an intense couple of weeks working in Cuba for them in June 2011 and very rewarding. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER
Now Available - free preview of my new album SALSA VERITAS. Click here for an audio tour of my latest salsa journey ... out in Sept, pre-order your copy now and come to my launch concert in Switzerland on 10th Sept!
Mali Latino plays the North Sea Jazz Festival
in Holland
On the 10th July at 1545h on the Congo Stage Mali Latino will play one of the most prestigious jazz festivals in Europe. Featuring Babani Koné on vocals, Madou Sidiki Diabaté on kora, Ahmed
Fofana on balafon/guitar/vocals and yours truly on the piano, this is a show not to be missed.
Watch the interview on Latvian TV24 Television Station
As part of my participation in the Rigas Ritmi Festival, Latvia I am interviewed about my education project with Latvian musicians - click here to view on Youtube.
Brand new salsa album out in September! Attend the 10th Sept Zürich launch concert and pre-order the CD all for 45 Swiss Francs - click here!
I have been commissioned to write a piece with poet HKB Finn which will be featued in a concert streamed live from London on 9th March at 1400 GMT here
Find the Rhythm - A Guide for the Salsa Dancer
a book/CD by Alex Wilson and Lee Knights is now out in German translation at www.findtherhythm.de (the English version is at www.findtherhythm.com) This book is for the non-musician / salsa dancer and gives a unique insight as to how salsa music is put together and how to find the '1'.
Mali Latino #2 in the World Music Europe charts for February
I am thrilled that my latest release on Alex Wilson Records still is bringing in accolades and this position means a lot to us all .... Click here to preview/purchase the album on Amazon
The Compass Suite Documentary now online
I had the pleasure and honour to direct this special commission from Canary Wharf Arts & Events which featured composers Kishon Khan, James Morton, Kathryn Tickell & myself alongside 35
musicians. To watch the making of this project Click here.
I composed this work as part of my Artist in Residence at Harrogate International Festival 2010. The guest soloist is Seckou Keita. The
entire concert can now be viewed online - Click here
MY LATEST SALSA RELEASE a new track "Unity" featuring vocalist Douglas Elom. This song was produced for the GAAP Orphanage Foundation .... please purchase it legally so as to support the important work that the charity do in Nigeria. Click here to listen to and purchase the track
Play Violin the Cuban Way - a brand new instructional product created by violin maestro Omar Puente and yours truly, Alex Wilson. This book comes packed full with unique insights into the Cuban style of violin and an accompanying playalong CD. It will be launched in London on 21st November at the Barbican Centre on a free concert at 6.30pm on the FreeStage, where it will be on sale for the first time.
Visit www.cubanviolin.com to find out more!
Mali Latino named one of the top ten albums of 2010
by Songlines magazine. For a largely self-funded album released on my own small independent label I am absolutely thrilled! A thousand thanks to all those who have supported the recording and launch tour.
New album MALI LATINO out now!
Radio play and press coverage on the BBC, Independent on Sunday, Songlines, Uncut and more ... click here for more
info
FIVE DATE MALI LATINO UK TOUR ANNOUNCED
Brighton, Manchester, Bracknell, London & Bristol
Featuring Madou Sidiki Diabaté (kora) & Ahmed Fofana (balafon, guitar, vocals)
Latin Journeys Concert 29th August
I am curating a weekend of Latin music at Snape Maltings in Aldeburgh, UK and this concert is the culmination. Cuban bagpiper Wilber Calver, Violin maestro Omar Puente, soul queen Naomi Phillips, my full band plus 30 young musicians ... this is going to be a big concert!
Mali Latino - my 7th album project is out in October and can pre-ordered from Amazon - here. Preview the music at www.malilatino.com and find out about the November UK Album launch concerts.
I am currently producing Wilber Calver and his Afro-Cuban bagpipe project. For a preview of his music visit www.wilbercalver.com. Wilber features in my Latin Journey's
concert at Aldeburgh, UK on the 29th August 2010.
My trip to Istanbul with the Courtney Pine Band
We play at a great club called "Babylon" in this fascinating city ...
Salsa con Soul Album Track Featured on Compilation
Released on the Swiss LatinMusik label, Alex's salsa dance hit "Antonio" is featured on the "Salsa - Editor's Choice vol 2". The compilation was launched in Zürich on 30th March and Alex was invited along as a guest to the night at the Salsarica night club. A great time was had by all!
Cairo Concert - Special Performance on 26th Feb
Alex will be travelling to Cairo to collaborate with reknown Egyptian jazz drummer Yehia Khalil. The concert has been organized by the British Council and Alex will also be delivering a workshop for young people during his visit.
A Personal Testimonial from a fan
There was a corridor in the building where my office was, that always made me feel like dancing in it. When I was fired, I decided to give myself a gift and I finally danced there - and even had it video-taped. For me, this represents not only the parting from my previous position and office, but also my embarking on a new road.
Alex to conduct Mass for Haiti Thursday 4th Feb 10
A Requiem to mourn the victims in Haiti, this epic choral piece uses the liturgical form of the full Catholic Mass and draws on music from West Africa, 18th century Europe courts and the
Caribbean islands, sung in English, French, Patois, Latin and Yoruba. Alex will be conducting a cast of 16 singers and 6 musicians at the Hackney Empire in London
Salsa con Soul Nominated for the UK Salsa Awards "Best UK Live Act"
Click on the logo to vote for your favourite UK salsa project.
Alex Wilson nominated for best Artist - can we have your vote in category 8 of the awards? Click on the logo - and thank you!
Find the Rhythm!- 120 page book with 82 track CD
Find the Rhythm! is a guide for the salsa dancer - it explains the structure of the music and highlights the role of individual instruments. It gives the dedicated dancer a deeper insight into salsa in an easy accessible style.
Buy your copy of Find the Rhythm at www.findtherhythm.com
BBC Report - Doctor Prescribes Alex's Music!
It's official - music is good for you. Watch the therapy group dancing to the title track of my album R&B Latino as reported on BBC television.
Alex invited to guest on Cleveland Watkiss Birthday Celebrations at the South Bank in London One of UK's foremost jazz vocalists, Cleveland Watkiss, has invited me to perform as guest at his London's Queen Elizabeth Hall concert to celebrate his 50th birthday. I recorded the song "Torch of Freedom" with Cleveland in 2001 on the Victory's Happy Song Book and we will be performing this tune as part of the celebration.
MALI LATINO - new interview filmed by Aldeburgh Music. Madou Sidiki Diabaté and Alex talk about the project, its beginnings, the music and its future.
Ukraine Jazz on the Beach
A trip with Courtney Pine to play at the Koktebel Jazz Festival on the shores of the Black Sea - click on the photo to see more.
Behind the Scenes glimpse of the salsa con soul orchestra hard at work in the rehearsal studio
Derby Festé - Salsa con Soul Orchestra pack the Assembly Rooms
I performed with my salsa band on the 5th Sept 09 at a festival in Derby near where I was born ... after all the travelling I am bringing it home !!
Watch the films of this exciting collaboration -
First Steps part 1 - I travel to Mali to research the source and find the team
First Steps part 2 - The Malian musicians visit the UK to write the music
First Steps part 3 - We try out the the music
Summer Shows 09 - The first 2 shows of the full 9 piece band and we go into Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios to record
Glastonbury Festival plus Amsterdam - Summer 09
Click on the photo to see our Glastonbury - Amsterdam weekend photo diary with the Salsa con Soul Orchestra.
Filming for the British Council - March 09
I have been fortunate to work for the British Council for a number of years and have visited over 20 countries to work for them - either directly or indirectly as pianist for other bands. I
was asked to do a short interview as a contribution to their 75 years film celebration and ended up playing the piano score for the film. Other contributors were Neil Kinnock (politican)
and George Alagiah (broadcaster). Here is a picture of me getting ready .... click to watch the
film.
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