Even though we're both from the same town in Ohio, my first exposure to guitarist Dan Wilson was when I was a judge and he was a finalist in the Wes Montgomery Guitar Competition.
Traces of influence from Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Joe Pass and Charlie Christian can be heard in Dan's playing, but also his gospel roots, hip-hop and more. Through touring with organist Joey DeFrancesco, Dan met Christian McBride, who invited him to tour with his Tip City trio, and who co-produces this new effort, Things Eternal, for his Brother Mister label imprint. Leading mostly a quartet, with guest vocals on a couple of tracks, there are originals alongside reimaginations of works by McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Lennon/McCartney and Sting.
From Monday, May 29 through Friday, June 2, one cut from the Things Eternal album will be featured each morning on the New Day, New Play spotlight on my Daybreak show.
Preview “Eleanor Rigby” from Things Eternal, above.
