Jack Wilkins


Jack Rivers Lewis, known professionally as Jack Wilkins, was an American jazz guitarist.

Career

A native of New York City, Wilkins grew up listening to his parents' music, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday. He started playing guitar when he was thirteen. He had an older cousin who played albums for him by Charlie Christian, Tal Farlow, Django Reinhardt, and Johnny Smith. He cited Smith's Designed for You as one of the albums that meant the most to him, in addition to Sounds of Synanon by Joe Pass, Poll Winners by Barney Kessel, The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow, and Interpretations of Tal Farlow.
While still in his teens, he worked as a guitarist in bands led by Les Elgart, Larry Elgart, Warren Covington, and Sammy Kaye.
Wilkins worked with Dan Armstrong, Lew Soloff, Lew Tabackin, and Lloyd Wells. In his twenties, he worked as a vibraphonist. He formed the band The Jazz Partners and played vibes with pianist Barry Manilow, who admired the work of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, and Barney Kessel. Wilkins and Manilow arranged songs from Kessel's albums for their group. A copy of his first solo album, Windows, found its way into the hands of Buddy Rich's manager. Wilkins then became a member of the Buddy Rich septet.
Wilkins also worked with Kenny Barron, Frank Foster, Sonny Fortune, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Jimmy McGriff, Sal Nistico, Zoot Sims, Sonny Stitt, Jack DeJohnette, Phil Woods, and the Brecker Brothers.
Wilkins died on May 5, 2023, at the age of 78.

Discography

As leader

Windows You Can't Live Without It Opal Captain Blued Call Him Reckless Alien Army Mexico Merge Trioart Bluesin Just the Two of Us with Gene Bertoncini Reunion Christmas Jazz Guitar
  • ''Until It's Time''

As sideman

With Nancy HarrowAnything Goes Two's Company Winter Dreams
With Buddy RichVery Live at Buddy's Place The Bull Tuff Dude
With others