Today Akron, Ohio-based guitarist Dan Wilson shares the first single, “Sticology,” from his forthcoming album. Things Eternal is Wilson’s second album with Brother Mister Productions, his mentor Christian McBride’s imprint under the Mack Avenue Music Group umbrella, following 2021’s Vessels of Wood and Earth. McBride also served as co-producer on the project. Immediately following the release of “Sticology” and continuing through to the Fall, Wilson and his trio embark on an extensive run of North American dates performing in venues and at jazz festivals across the country. Things Eternal will be available everywhere on May 19th.
Things Eternal full length pre-add link - HERE
Stream “Sticology” - HERE
The album kicks off with a vibrant cover of “Sticology.” Wilson chose this song for the project specifically as he feels it is a regional treasure. “It contains everything that I like about music: a driving bass line, a singable melody and well structured harmony. We had a chance to develop this arrangement over multiple performances last summer, and this recording represents the culmination of that time spent on the road. I have great respect and admiration for Phillip Jones, the composer who wrote the song when he was just 17 years old. The song is considered a classic in my hometown in Northeast Ohio, and I want to share it with whoever will listen.”
The track begins with a gently teasing voice message from legendary organist Joey DeFrancesco, whose sudden death in 2022 was mourned throughout the jazz community. Wilson’s grandmother also makes a voicemail appearance later on the album. The guitarist’s habit of saving messages means that these beloved figures continue to speak to him. This collage of sounds is only one of the techniques that Wilson uses to create some of the most exciting music in jazz today.
While the overarching theme of this album is loss, the vibe of the project is decidedly optimistic, reflecting on family – both chosen and blood – spirituality and history. “This album is centered around the shock of losing a lot of people that were central to my upbringing,” Wilson says. “I’ve been seeing a grief counselor who draws on African religion and spirituality, and he suggested creating a shrine to memorialize some of the people that I've lost. In a way, that's what this album is, and it’s been therapeutic.”
Like many jazz musicians before him, Wilson honed his skills in the church. “This wasn't your average gospel church where cats are just chicken-picking,” he explains. “The music in the church that I grew up in is entirely driven by guitar.”
The matchup of McBride and Wilson aligns well, as both are omnivorous musicians whose tastes ranged not only the full spectrum of jazz but influences from soul, pop, funk, R&B, rock and beyond. DeFrancesco and McBride undoubtedly recognized a similar spirit in Wilson. His wide-ranging tastes are reflected on the artfully curated repertoire for Things Eternal, which includes songs by The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Sting alongside jazz classics by the likes of McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Michael Brecker and Herbie Hancock, as well as hometown favorite Jones.
Tracklist
1) Sticology
2) Since A Hatchet Was A Hammer
3) Eleanor Rigby
4) For Tomorrow Bass Intro
5) For Tomorrow
6) Things Eternal
7) Bird Like
8) Smile Please
9) Tell Me A Bedtime Story
10) Pilgrimage Intro
11) Pilgrimage
12) Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot
Tour Dates
03/21/23 - Columbus, OH - Ginger Rabbit
03/25/23 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Jazz Fest on High Street
03/28/23 - Columbus, OH - Refectory
04/01/23 - Chandler, AZ - Chandler Jazz Festival with Lewis Nash and Pat Bianchi
04/06/23 - Santa Cruz, CA - Kuumbwa Jazz Center w/ Brian Ho and Sylvia Cuenca
04/30/23- Akron, OH - Blu Jazz / music of Herbie Hancock
05/17/23- Pittsburgh, PA - Stevie Wonder at Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
05/25-27- Charleston, SC - Spoleto Jazz Festival
06/24/23 - Cleveland, OH - Stevie Wonder at Tri-C Jazz Festival w/Jennifer Hartwick
07/09-07/15 New York City - Carnegie Hall NYO Jazz
07/30-08/04 Stanford, CA - Stanford Jazz Festival
08/31-09/04 - Vail, CO - Vail Jazz Party
09/08/23 - Akron, OH - Rubber City Jazz Festival
10/08/23 - San Francisco, CA - SF Jazz
