Reuben Wilson (1935–2023), soul jazz organist
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2 min readReuben Wilson was a widely sampled jazz organist who helped innovate the soul jazz subgenre.
- Died:feafMay 26, 2023 (Who else died on May 26?)c2
- Details of death:feafdied in Harlem, New York, of lung cancer at the age of 88.
- We invite you to share condolencesfeaffor Reuben Wilson in ourfeafGuest Book.c2
Reuben Wilsone28099s legacy
After Dust Bowl conditions forced his family to move from Mounds, Oklahoma, to Pasadena, California, Wilson would go on to become one of the great masters of e2809cthe Beast,e2809d the massive, 425-pound Hammond B-3 organ that can be heard on many jazz records of the late 1960s and 1970s. Despite his musical talent, Wilson almost pursued his first love, sports, instead. He spent time as a professional boxer and semi-pro football player before his growing success as a performing musician captured his attention for good.
Wilson enjoyed the beat-driven sounds of funk, which he began to incorporate into his percussive style on the keyboard. His 1969 album, e2809cLove Bug,e2809d typifies this approach, boasting an energetic take on electronic jazz that would prove influential to his fellow musicians. He continued to pursue groove in his music, releasing a string of records for Blue Note and Groove Merchant throughout the 1970s.
Wilson never achieved the crossover success he hoped for, but rap and hip-hop communities soon found themselves drawn to his percussive style. Before long, his music was being sampled on rap albums, include the landmark 1994 record by Nas, e2809cIllmatic.e2809d Meanwhile, Wilson continued to perform live well into his 70s, stopping only when dementia began to take its toll.
Notable Quote
e2809cThe organ will tell on you quicker than any instrument I know. When you sit down to play that bad boy, however you feel e28093 that's exactly the way it's gonna come out.e2809d e28094from an interview on NPR
Tributes to Reuben Wilson
Full obituary: NPRc2
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