Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 22, 1922 in Colwyn, PA

Death

:

May 9, 2014 in New York City, NY

 

Joe Wilder was a renowned American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player, born on February 22, 1922, in Colwyn, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a bassist, and his mother was a pianist. Wilder started playing the trumpet at the age of nine and was soon performing in local bands. Wilder attended the Mastbaum School of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with the legendary jazz trumpeter and bandleader, Dizzy Gillespie. He also studied at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he honed his skills as a classical musician. Wilder was a versatile musician who could play in a variety of styles, from swing to bebop to classical. In 1942, Wilder joined the U.S. Army and served in the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He played in the band that entertained the troops and was stationed in Italy. After the war, Wilder returned to New York City and began his professional career as a musician. Wilder played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman. He was also a member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Arturo Toscanini. In 1957, Wilder joined the pit orchestra for the Broadway musical, "The Music Man," which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Wilder was known for his beautiful tone and lyrical playing style. He was a master of the flugelhorn, an instrument that he helped popularize in jazz. Wilder was also a prolific recording artist, with over 60 albums to his name. Some of his most famous recordings include "The Pretty Sound," "The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw," and "Softly with Feeling." In addition to his work as a performer, Wilder was also a respected educator. He taught at the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Hartford. He was also a mentor to many young musicians, including Wynton Marsalis. Wilder received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1990, he was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2008, the highest honor that the United States government bestows upon jazz musicians. Wilder continued to perform and record well into his 80s. He passed away on May 9, 2014, at the age of 92. His legacy as a musician and educator lives on, and he is remembered as one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time.

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