Dr. Dennis Wilson

Biography

Dennis Wilson joined the Michigan faculty after teaching at Kansas State University, where he served as assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He has a significant association with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, which began in 1977 as a trombonist and arranger. He continues to serve as musical production manager and educational director for the Basie Band. Wilson has also been the lead trombonist for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra and has toured and performed with notable ensembles, including the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Lionel Hampton Orchestra, New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, American Jazz Orchestra, and the Benny Carter Orchestra. He received a GRAMMY Award nomination for his vocal arrangements for the Manhattan Transfer and has performed on GRAMMY Award-winning recordings featuring artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Diane Schurr. In 2001, Mr. Wilson was named Artist in Residence by the San Jose Jazz Society, where he serves as the musical director for the new San Jose Jazz Society Big Band. He presents at conferences for the International Association of Jazz Education and is a current member of the IAJE Resource Team Conference Selection Committee.

Research Interests