|
|
  |
  |
  |
  |
  |
|
[
AJHF |
About |
Home |
News |
Dates |
Artists |
Archive
]
[ Facebook | Hall of Fame | Downloads | Board | Links | Donations | Memberships ]
Artists
Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame - 2012 Inductees
[Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame: 2014 | 2012 | 2010 | 2008 | 2006 | 2004 | 2002 | 2000 | 1998 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994]CONRAD WILSON
(30 August 1930 - 15 October 2012)
FROM OBITUARY
Conrad was born with a natural musical talent. He found a bugle when he was eleven years old. He was the only kid on the block who could make a sound on it and ever since has been entertaining audiences with his extraordinary talent and musical abilities. When his father bought him a trumpet, he joined the junior high school band and later became proficient enough to join the high school band. His passion for jazz music often led him to sneak in or around clubs such as the Plantation Club in his home town of Houston. While hiding in the bushes to hear his heroes, he was too young to be allowed inside but his ears heard lessons he would later apply to his own performance. His opportunities opened up when he joined the Air Force; he was stationed with the 541st Air Force Band in Chandler, Arizona, and played with the Arizona State College band.
After the Air Force, Conrad attended the University of Houston; he performed with the college's band and the Houston Symphony. His talent was recognized by many of the traveling big bands; he was offered a position that led him to many cities across the country and performances with Patti Page, Bob Hope, Liberace, McGuire Sisters, Rosemary Clooney, and many others. He was the lead player in the trumpet section of the Stardust Big Band as well as a performer with many of the combos in Arkansas and a nominee to the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation's Hall of Fame.
FROM STARDUST BIG BAND'S "MUSICIAN OF THE WEEK"
Conrad was known for his ability as a lead/jazz trumpet player, his talkative nature, and his ability to wear a tuxedo for 48 hours and still look fresh. He comes from the Chicago School of Jazz, where he studied with Willie Mosconi and learned to fend off groupies from Richard Daley. His trumpet of choice is a vintage Zinfandel or a heady Merlot with a rich bouquet. Conrad's favorite pastimes are practicing, telling Mike he should play a solo, practicing, listening to music, loading the PA system, practicing, and being happy he doesn't have to sit by Robert anymore.
FROM OTHER SOURCES
In 1982, after extensive touring with big bands in the 1960s and 1970s, Conrad helped several other innovative musicians found the Stardust Big Band in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Conrad also contributed his considerable talents as an improvisational jazz trumpeter. For the past three decades, the group has presented monthly performances, usually at the historic Arlington Hotel.
[Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame: 2014 | 2012 | 2010 | 2008 | 2006 | 2004 | 2002 | 2000 | 1998 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994]
Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation · PO Box 251187 · Little Rock, AR 72225-1187 US · info@arjazz.org
Copyright © Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation. All rights reserved.
Information on AJHF and Jazz:
Comments on web site:
About this site. We appreciate those who have helped create this site.
URL: https://www.arjazz.org