Abram Wilson

WILSON Abram Wilson, beloved son, brother, friend, and husband passed from this earth on Saturday, June 9th 2012. Abram was a prominent trumpeter and composer in Britain's contemporary jazz scene; he had a particular interest in introducing children and young people to jazz and devoted much of his time to educational projects and musical workshops. Abram was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on August 30 1973. He studied at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and went on to receive a Bachelor's degree in Music Education at Ohio Weslyan University and a Master's degree in Performance and Composition from the Eastman School of Music. Afterwards, in New York, he led his own quintet and was a regular member of the Roy Hargrove Big Band. He made his recording debut in 1999, with Ruth Brown, the rhythm and blues singer. He travelled to London in 2002, and soon after his arrival he was playing with the big band led by the pianist Julian Joseph. He released his debut album, Jazz Warrior, to great critical acclain in October 2004. The Cheltenham Jazz Festival commissioned Wilson to produce an ambitious work, Ride! Ferris Wheel to the Modern Day Delta, in 2006. This was followed by Life Paintings in 2009. He also took part in a gospel music project, "Roll, Jordan, Roll!", with the singer Nicky Brown. Before his death he had been busy on a new work based on the life of the American concert pianist Philippa Schuyler. He had recently led his band on a tour whose itinerary took him from Co Durham to Devon, and given numerous additional shows for school pupils. He is survived by his wife, Jennie (née Cashman), his siblings: Zane, Saul, Saleem, Hannah, and Willie; grandmother, Oradell Barker; and his parents: Doris Marie and Willie Cal Wilson, Jr. Abram will be laid to rest in Utica, Mississippi with his grandmother at a private ceremony. A Memorial Service and celebration of his life will be held later in New Orleans and in London, England.