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Will Vinson

Originally from London, Alto Saxophonist/Composer Will Vinson moved to New York City in 1999 and has remained there ever since. Since his arrival, he has appeared and/or recorded with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ari Hoenig, Marcus Gilmore, Chris Potter, Kurt Elling, Lage Lund, Aaron Parks, and many others.

Will is a member of a number of leading ensembles, including pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s Quartet (he appears on Charlie and the Grammy-nominated Caminos), Ari Hoenig’s Punk Bop and Nonet (Will appears on Inversations, Bert’s Playground and Live at Smalls), Miguel Zenon’s Identities Orchestra (Grammy-nominated for Identities are Changeable), and his own groups featuring, among others, Lage Lund, Jeff Ballard, Aaron Parks, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Shai Maestro and Mike Moreno.

In 2012, along with bassist Orlando le Fleming and guitarist Lage Lund, he formed the critically acclaimed OWL Trio, whose eponymous debut in 2013 was hailed by critics and listeners alike. Downbeat declared: “Everything about this album,which should contend for debut of the year honors,is a resounding success. The music swings effortlessly, every utterence is gorgeous and the recording is intimate and beautiful", while All About Jazz noted that "the chemistry, sensitivity and simpatico sensibilities exhibited by these three young men are evident at every turn....OWL Trio is one of those records that finds power in quiet expression, not raised volume or aggression. Lund, Vinson and le Fleming make for an absorbing combination"

Will has an international reputation as a leader and sideman. All About Jazz New York describes Will as playing “with a relentless force”. Thomas Michelsen of Denmark’s Politiken, hails this “very exciting saxophonist” with a “beautiful, softly modulating tone”, and John Fordham of The Guardian described a "superb solo of rugged leathery sounds turning into mellifluous high notes” with “secure control and storming energy". Time Out London calls will an "exciting young altoist with a lethal approach to writing and soloing”.

Will has released 6 CD’s as a leader/composer. It’s For You (Sirocco Jazz, 2004) was described as “combining a thoughtful originality of conception with energy and fluidity of execution in very satisfying proportions” (Jazzwise magazine)

Will’s second CD, Promises (NineteenEight Records), was described as “impressive” and “coolly restrained”by Nate Chinen of the New York Times.

2010 saw the release of two CD's: The World (Through My Shoes), a live recording was described as "marvelous" by Downbeat and "exhilarating, cascading... outstanding"by Jazz Times. Stockholm Syndrome (Criss Cross) came out in September 2010. 2013 saw the release of Live at Smalls, one of the most successful albums on the Smalls Live label. 2016 saw the release of Will’s debut recording for 5Passion, Perfectly Out of Place, featuring an all-star group: Mike Moreno on guitar, Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano, Matt Penman on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums. The reviews have been ecstatic. All About Jazz calls it "a marvel of compositional design, textural beauty, and musicality"; Downbeat lauds the "incredibly original" compositions that "challenge the notion of how jazz is defined in this era", Jazzwise describes it as "heart-stopping", and Sterophile Magazine declares Will "one of the best alto saxophonists in Jazz".

Will Vinson, Antonio Sanchez and Gilad Hekselman: Elli Yeled Tov

by Mike Jacobs
June 13, 2023

If this syncopated confluence of Vinson, Sanchez and Hekselman doesn't induce a shake or shimmy, you either haven't found the one or you might need to call 911... ...

Interview

Trio Grande: Three instruments, three nationalities, one supergroup

by Friedrich Kunzmann
November 13, 2020

An incessant stream of new artists, new ideas, revisitations of old ideas and ever-shifting technological inventions continues to push jazz onward, forward into the 21st Century. While most of today's music began taking root and developing in the turbulent jazz topographies of the last century, each new interpretation, extension and redesign today adds a new perspective, sometimes even a new dimension, to the possibilities in jazz, thereby enlarging its universe. The three members of newly conceived outfit Trio Grande just ...

Album Review

Trio Grande: Trio Grande

Read "Trio Grande" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
November 11, 2020

It's not easy watching all the divergent and elusive pieces come together on Trio Grande, saxophonist Will Vinson, guitarist Gilad Hekselman and drummer/percussionist Antonio Sánchez's first outing, but then that's not their desire at all. Their work is to challenge the expectations and inclinations that dull and lull us into complacency, into wholly unimaginative realms and lead us to yon wider vistas. Born from various residencies at the NY's legendary (in fall 2020 temporarily shuttered) Cornelia Street Café, ...

Album Review

Dan Waldman: Sources & Angles

Read "Sources & Angles" reviewed by Geno Thackara

by Geno Thackara
August 25, 2020

After a couple decades as a busy working player, a fellow certainly should have plenty of angles to play, not to mention myriad sources to draw on in a milieu as exciting as the jazz-fusion tradition. This would explain why Dan Waldman's debut doesn't sound like a debut. He knows his stuff; he couldn't have lasted so long in his adopted home of jny: New York City otherwise. His quartet is likewise as solid as a leader could wish for, ...

Extended Analysis

Four Forty One

by Friedrich Kunzmann
January 29, 2020

2020 marks the beginning of Will Vinson's third decade of working and living in New York. Over the years the British-American saxophonist has gained wide recognition as a sideman as well as a leader, with six albums to his name in the bank. Beyond recording highly acclaimed albums for late Gerry Teekens' Criss Cross label, Vinson has appeared with the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter or Kurt Elling, to name a few. The 2012 formation “Owl Trio" featuring bassist ...

Album Review

Will Vinson: Perfectly Out Of Place

Read "Perfectly Out Of Place" reviewed by Maurizio Zerbo

by Maurizio Zerbo
September 28, 2016

In Perfectly Out of Place, grazie anche ad un a bella intesa fra sassofono e chitarra, si coglie una dinamica dimensione dialogica sul piano della scrittura e improvvisazione. Ogni brano è riccamente strutturato dal punto di vista armonico, con gustosi risvolti melodici e calibrati quanto efficaci assoli. L'atmosfera diventa sognante e sospesa nei brani in cui si aggiunge il duplice apporto di archi e voce. Il progetto è molto ambizioso. Tuttavia, rischia di essere dispersivo nel suo tentativo di riunire ...

Album Review

Will Vinson: Perfectly Out Of Place

Read "Perfectly Out Of Place" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
May 12, 2016

Perfectly Out Of Place--the sixth album from saxophonist Will Vinson--is a marvel of compositional design, textural beauty, and musicality. It's both in keeping with his previous work and several steps beyond and above. While Vinson is essentially sticking with his favored quintet format on this one, he's expanded his sonic palette by adding some judicious overdubs and bringing in a number of special guests--The Mivos Quartet, vocalist Jo Lawry, and percussionist Jamey Haddad. He's also upped his ...

Event

“jazz Superstars” Join To Celebrate The 10 Year Anniversary Of The Thailand International Jazz Conference - TIJC 2018

Source: Thailand International Jazz Conference
January 11, 2018

The 10th Anniversary of TIJC – the Thailand International Jazz Conference will be on January 26-28, 2018. The conference includes four main signature events; Jazz Music Performances, Jazz Education Activities, Jazz Solo Competition and Jazz Camp. Dr. Narong Prangcharoen Dean of College of Music, Mahidol University, reveals that TIJC is an important event for music development and awareness in Southeast Asia. Since the first TIJC was held, the public has become more aware and appreciative of jazz music. This event ...
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Recording

Saxophonist/Composer Will Vinson Releases "Perfectly Out Of Place" - Available Now!

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
May 10, 2016

Alto saxophonist/composer Will Vinson possesses many gifts; incredible power, dramatic sensitivity, prodigious technique, and perhaps most importantly, a captivating sound that you want to hear again and again. John Fordham of The Guardian described a “superb solo of rugged leathery sounds turning into mellifluous high notes", with “secure control and storming energy". While JazzWise Magazine has said that Vinson has a knack for “combining a thoughtful originality of conception with energy and fluidity of execution in very satisfying proportions". It ...
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Recording

Saxophonist/Composer Will Vinson To Release "Perfectly Out Of Place"

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
April 12, 2016

Saxophonist/Composer Will Vinson to Release Perfectly Out of Place. Available May 6, 2016 on 5Passion. Featuring: Will Vinson (alto & soprano saxophones, synthesizers), Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizers), Matt Penman (bass), Jeff Ballard (drums), Jo Lawry (vocal), Jamey Haddad (additional percussion on “Skyrider") & The Mivos Quartet (Olivia De Prato, Joshua Modney: violins, Victor Lowrie: viola, Mariel Roberts: cello) Perfectly Out of Place CD RELEASE PARTY THE JAZZ GALLERY, NYC APRIL 26- 7:30 & 9:30 ...
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Interview

Saxophonist Will Vinson Interviewed at All About Jazz...And More!

Source: John Kelman
December 13, 2010

Like many musicians of his generation, growing up in the rock- and pop-dominated 1980s, saxophonist Will Vinson got his indoctrination to jazz from the sounds emanating from the stereo system in his home, hearing the likes of Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington and Count Basie from his father's record collection. He took a liking to them. Especially Basie, as Vinson started out playing the piano as a youngster. But there were a few obstacles. Vinson, 33, is a native of London, ...
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Performance / Tour

Bassist Orlando le Fleming to Record Live Album with Antonio Sanchez, Will Vinson and Lage Lund

Source: Michael Ricci
November 24, 2009

Orlando le Fleming will be recording a live album on November 29th and 30th at Freddy's in Brooklyn. His band features Antonio Sanchez, Will Vinson and Lage Lund. They will play two sets starting at 8:30 p m.

About Orlando le Fleming Orlando le Fleming was born in Birmingham, England on July 7 1976. Both of his parents are professional musicians; his mother a cellist and his father a composer. His first ambition was to become a professional cricketer, an ...
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Spectacular... The thinking man's alto saxophonist" —The Guardian

"Impressive... cooly restrained" —The New York Times

"Secure control and storming energy" —The Guardian

"Combines a thoughtful originality of conception with energy and fluidity of execution in very satisfying proportions" —Jazzwise

"Plays with a relentless force" —All About Jazz

"As mature in conception as in execution" —All About Jazz

"An exciting young altoist" —Time Out