JIM WILSON

One of the most popular pianists on the contemporary instrumental scene, Jim Wilson returns with his seventh album, LEADER OF THE BAND – a tribute to his friend, the late multi-platinum recording artist, Dan Fogelberg. This record continues Jim’s critically-acclaimed "film score meets folk/pop" signature sound – his unique piano style combined with his eclectic blend of instrumentation. Wilson writes in his dedication on the back of LEADER OF THE BAND, "History will shine on Dan Fogelberg as one of the great songwriters of our time, a remarkable storyteller, an American treasure. An authentic artist, Dan crafted honest, passionate songs that are pure reflections of how he lived his life. He left us far too soon but his phenomenal body of work continues to touch the lives of millions. He was an incredible blessing in my life, and it was an honor to call him friend. For his brotherly encouragement, his support of my art, and his contributions to my recordings, I am forever grateful." "Dan was a huge inspiration to me on so many levels and I wanted this tribute to be a celebration of his incredible spirit." Jim adds, "I had the greatest time making this record, reinterpreting these awesome songs. I’ve always had nothing but the highest regard for Dan’s phenomenal artistry, but digging into these songs -- "looking under the hood", if you will, took my respect for his mastery of his craft to a whole new level. It was incredibly difficult to pick just ten songs. Many of the songs I chose had special personal meaning to me (…indelibly etched is the fond memory the late-night, impromptu playing of "Gambler" with Dan in the living room of his Ranch.) More than anything, I sincerely hope I’ve done Dan proud and that I’ve made a record that he’d have enjoyed listening to." Jim is joined on this record by numerous notable guests, including Gerry Beckley of America (who played guitar with Dan on the original recording of "There's a Place in the World for a Gambler"!), Matt Rollings, Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus, Bruce Watson, Charlie Morgan and Eric Rigler. Jim has had three recordings hit the Top 20 in BILLBOARD magazine's bestseller charts, composed music for television shows, had two nationally televised PBS-TV specials, and has many top pop and jazz artists appear as guests on his CDs (from Dan Fogelberg and Stephen Bishop to David Sanborn, Rick Braun and Dave Koz). Jim’s previous releases include his most recent breathtakingly evocative BENEATH THE OLYMPIAN SKIES and his Billboard bestseller, A PLACE IN MY HEART, which received rave reviews, placed in the top 5 for two months in a row on national airplay charts and was nominated by radio programmers around the world for Album of the Year and Best Instrumental Album -- Piano in the 2005 NAR Music Awards. Wilson's other albums include NORTHERN SEASCAPE, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, MY FIRST CHRISTMAS WITH YOU, and QUIET SHADOWS (his versions of pop standards). In concert, Jim transports his audiences on a cinematic "melodic journey" enhanced by his compelling performance videos: evocative multimedia montages coordinated with Jim's music, projected behind him as he plays. In the course of an evening, Wilson weaves his musical themes around breathtaking visions of Ireland's Cliffs of Mohr, the majesty of the California redwoods, and enchanting moonlit visions of late-night Paris. These "performance videos" are featured in his latest one-hour public television special, "JIM WILSON & FRIENDS: A PLACE IN MY HEART," which received substantial airtime on PBS affiliates around the country. Now available on DVD, the concert special was taped before the first sold-out audience in the new 30 million-dollar Texas landmark, the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. The event was by all accounts a truly magical evening during which the audience was transported on a "cinematic melodic journey." Jim's musical themes were woven around breathtaking images and movies coordinated with the music, projected on a 25-foot screen filling the stage behind the performers. Jim and his band were joined by world-renowned Irish-flute player, ERIC RIGLER, L.A.-based string ensemble BELLA MUSICA, and Italian classical-pop recording artist ROMINA ARENA. Wilson's music, sometimes referred to as "melodic tone poems," has been described as "a magical carpet ride of melodic beauty" by music legend Carole King and as making "a classy, artistic statement" by master tunesmith Burt Bacharach. Although the public thinks of Jim Wilson as a rapidly emerging pianist and composer, the music industry knows he has even more talents. He helped develop a revolutionary MIDI-adaptor for the acoustic piano, which for the first time allows this age-old instrument to interact with computers and synthesizers. He developed a topflight reputation, teaching uses of MIDI-piano to the upper echelon of pop musicians such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Jackson Browne, Burt Bacharach, Carole King and many, many more. Whenever Jim played his own music for them while sitting at their pianos, they encouraged him to pursue his own musical dreams. Jim soon landed an official endorsement by Yamaha Pianos, with the company providing instruments for his performances across the country both as a solo artist and with his six-piece band (more than a thousand shows so far and counting). Wilson has composed music for the CBS-TV series "Frank's Place" and CNN's "Showbiz Today" television show devoted a segment to Jim's music. Jim grew up in Texas, beginning his love-affair with music at the age of 7. He picked up a guitar at the house of a family friend who gave the instrument to Jim on a whim. "From then on I had this incredible passion for music and learning to play it. Around nine or ten I started composing songs. About that time my charismatic cousin from California came to visit. He breezed into town with his long hair, guitar, songs and stories, and that really ignited the musical fire in my life. I couldn't wait to be a musician. I started playing in professional bands when I was 14. I switched to playing piano when I was 19." Soon thereafter, Jim packed up all of his possessions in a van and headed to California to pursue his dreams of a career in the music business. "For many people California has represented the Promised Land, the Land of Dreams. I love the energy of the people and the encouragement of the arts. Jim began his recording career in 1997 when his best friend died suddenly. "That was a life-changing event that made me realize that you never know when you're going to be called, so you better be proud of what you've done and the legacy you're leaving behind." Now that musical legacy is enriched even further with LEADER OF THE BAND.