Garland Wilson

Garland Wilson
File:Garland Wilson, between 1938 and 1948 (William P. Gottlieb 09351).jpg Garland Wilson, in the 1940s. Photograph by William P. Gottlieb.
Background information
Birth name	Garland Lorenzo Wilson
Born	(1909-06-13)June 13, 1909
Origin	Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States
Died
Genres	Jazz Blues Boogie-woogie
Occupation(s)	Pianist
Instruments	Piano
Associated acts	Herman Chittison Nina Mae McKinney

Garland Lorenzo Wilson (June 13, 1909 – May 31, 1954) was an American jazz pianist born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, perhaps best known for his work with Nina Mae McKinney. Wilson was a boogie-woogie and stride pianist.

Biography

Early life

Garland Wilson was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia in 1909.

Career

Wilson attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and in the 1930s worked in New York City at nightclubs in the area. In 1932 the pianist joined Nina Mae McKinney on a European tour. Wilson had also done extensive work in England with various groups, and did some recordings with Nat Gonella. In the liner's notes of the CD-box "l'intégrale Django reinhardt - vol 2" he is quoted as being accompanist of French singer Jean Sablon together with guitarist Django Reinhardt on two sides recorded on November 1, 1935 in Paris. In 1939 he returned to the United States where he remained until 1951, when he moved to Paris, France. The artist remained there until he died in 1954.

Personal life

Wilson was a homosexual, something most artists of the day were unaware of while working with him. It has been speculated by some that the 1940 novel by Virginia Baker titled "Young Man With a Horn" was based on Wilson, which depicts a black male prostitute. Mary Lou Williams remembers being at a bar with her friend Mae Mezzrow (wife of Mezz Mezzrow). He had collapsed and been taken to the hospital, where he died shortly after arriving; the cause may have been related to his liver.

Select discography

• Memories of You (Okeh)
• Rockin' Chair (Okeh)

With Charlie Lewis and Herman Chittison

• Jazz In Paris: Harlem Piano in Montmartre (Sunny Side)

With Mae Barnes

• Fun With Mae Barnes (Atlantic)