>> Spanky Wilson
bio: Spanky Wilson is an American singer born in Philadelphia. Until 1967, she lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then in Los Angeles, California until 1985 when she settled in Paris, France.
She has sung in clubs, in concerts, and has toured in the following countries: Algeria, Angola, Belgium, Brasil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Congo, France, Germany, the island of Guam, Japan, Luxemburg, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, and the United States.
Spanky has performed at many Jazz Festivals in different countries such as: Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (France 1987), Santiago de Compostela (Spain 1989), Montlouis-sur-Loire (France 1989), Jazz Terrasse (Spain 1990), Montauban (France 1990), Jazz A Vienne (Vienne, France 1991, concert televised), Jazz En Villeneuvois (Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France 1991), Salon-de-Provence (France 1992), Crest Jazz Vocal (Crest, France 1992), Jazz In Marciac (Marciac, France 1994), MadaJazzcar 94 (Antananarivo, Madagascar 1994), Burghausen (Germany 1995, concert televised), Jazz á Montauban (Montauban, France 1995), 8ème & 10ème Jazz aux Remparts (Bayonne, France 1997 & 1999), 20ème Jazz à Vannes (Vannes, France 1999).
Spanky has performed with namely the following artists:
Trumpetists Benny BAILEY, Marcus BELGRAVE, Pete CANDOLI, Doc CHEATHAM, Wallace DAVENPORT, Kenny DORHAM, Harry Sweets EDISON, Clark TERRY, Tommy TURRENTINE
Cornetist Nat ADDERLEY
Trombonist Buster COOPER, Gene AMMONS, Benny CARTER, Jeff CLAYTON, Richie COLE, Teddy EDWARDS, Herb GELLER, Scott HAMILTON, Red HOLLOWAY, Guy LAFITTE, Harold LAND, Jack
Saxophonists Gene AMMONS, Benny CARTER, Jeff CLAYTON, Richie COLE, Teddy EDWARDS, Herb GELLER, Scott HAMILTON, Red HOLLOWAY, Guy LAFITTE, Harold LAND, Jack NIMITZ, Houston PERSON, Marshal ROYAL, Stanley TURRENTINE, André VILLENGER, Eddie Cleanhead VINSON, Bob WILBER
Organists Jack McDUFF, Jimmy McGRIFF, Jimmy SMITH, Larry YOUNG
Pianists Georges ARVANITAS, Walter BISHOP Jr., John BUNCH, Wild Bill DAVIS, Alain JEAN MARIE, Oliver JONES, Kirk LIGHTSEY, Tete MONTOLIU, Willie PICKENS, Red RICHARDS, Maurice VANDER, Richard WYANDS
Guitarists Kenny BURRELL, Christian ESCOUD, Mundell LOWE
Bassists Pierre BOUSSAGUET, George DUVIVIER, Larry GALES, John HEARD, Reggie JOHNSON, Eddie JONES, Pierre MICHELOT, Jimmy WOODE
Drummers Keith COPELAND, Panama FRANCIS, Billy HIGGINS, Oliver JACKSON, Gus JOHNSON, Butch MILES, Idrees MUHAMMAD, Pretty PURDIE, Alvin QUEEN, Grady TATE
Percussionist Willie BOBO
Singers Ernie ANDREWS, Sammy DAVIS Jr., Marvin GAYE
n July 1999, Spanky performed with the Duke ELLINGTON Orchestra while it was on tour in France.
In the States, Spanky has worked regularly with famous groups such as Jimmy McGRIFFs, Willie BOBOs, Benny CARTER ALL STAR BAND, Teddy EDWARDS (Quarted, String Ensemble, and Big Band).
Since 1989, Spanky Wilson regularly performs with the Philippe MILANTA Trio; she has however sung as a guest in French bands such as Gérard BADINI Swing Machine, Christian MORIN and François BIENSANs Ellingtomania, François GUINs Four Bones and Swingers, Marc LAFERRIEREs group, Philippe MILANTA Nonet, Ornicar Big Band, and Claude TISSENDIERs Saxomania.
Spanky Wilson recorded the following albums under her own name: SPANKIN BRAND NEW (Mother Records & The Snarf Company) SPANKY / DOIN IT (Mother Records & The Snarf Company) LET IT BE (Mother Records & The Snarf Company) SHAKE YOUR HEAD / HOME (Eastbound Records) SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE (20th Century / Westbound Records) SINGIN AND SWINGIN (1991 Big Blue Records BBRC9104) THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER (1999 Jazz Aux Remparts JAR 64012) She also recorded the following albums as a guest: HOUSTON PERSON & ETTA JONES / LIVE AT THE CLUB MOZAMBIQUE GUEST SPANKY WILSON (Eastbound Records) TOGETHER / VARIOUS / MELVIN SPARKS / JACK McDUFF / HOUSTON PERSON / ELLA JONES / SPANKY WILSON / BILL MASON / GARY CHANDLER (Ace Records) ORNICAR BIG BAND / LINCROYABLE HUCK (1991 Big Blue Records) OLD SCHOOL BAND / 35TH ANNIVERSARY / GUEST STARS: BOB WILBER, ALAN FREDERICKSON, SPANKY WILSON (1993 OSB) TEDDY EDWARDS QUARTET: LA VILLA / GUESTS CHRISTIAN ESCOUDÉ, SPANKY WILSON (1993 Verne/PolyGram/Gitanes Jazz Productions 523 495-2) CHRISTIAN MORIN / PARADIS MLODIE (1996 Une Musique 191 726-2) Moreover, Spanky Wilson, conducted by Lalo SHIFFRIN, recorded the theme song of the movie KELLYS HEROES.
Spanky Wilson is an extraordinary Jazz singer with a unique voice, in terms of swinging, bluesy, tender or warm, with an impeccable diction and phrasing. Her first influences were Dinah WASHINGTON, Nat King COLE and Louis JORDAN, then later Eddie JEFFERSON who taught her how to scat.
Spanky sings with a constant feeling, with emotion and sensitivity. Moreover, every one of her interpretations is a reflection of her song personality. Her uncontested charisma, her class, her charm and her sense of humor are many qualities that enhance her strong presence on stage.
Lastly, the cohesiveness of her group has been applauded by many of the greatest names of Jazz.
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