Originally from London, Alto Saxophonist/Composer Will Vinson moved to New York City in 1999, and has remained there ever since. Since his arrival, he has appeared and/or recorded with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Marcus Gilmore, Mark Turner, Ingrid Jensen, Chris Potter, Geoffrey Keezer, Lage Lund, Ari Hoenig, John Benitez, Seamus Blake, Alan Ferber Nonet, Aaron Parks, and many others.
Will is a member of a number of leading New York ensembles, including drummer Ari Hoenig's Quartet (Will is featured on Inversations and Seraphic Ari's CD's on the Dreyfuss label), trombonist Alan Ferber's nonet (2 CD's out, Scenes from an Exit Row and The Compass on the Fresh Sound New Talent label), Thelonius Monk Competition winner Lage Lund's Quintet and Pedro Giraudo's Mr. Vivo, an Argentine Jazz ensemble with 3 CD's under its belt.
Will has an international reputation as a leader and sideman. All About Jazz New York describes Will as playing "with a relentless force". After a performance at the Pizza Express Soho in London, Jack Massarik (London Evening Standard) described Will as "the thinking man's alto saxophonist... Britain's Greg Osby", and John Fordham of the Guardian described a "superb solo of rugged leathery sounds turning into mellifluous high notes, his secure control and storming energy occasionally reminiscent of Bobby Watson." Time Out London calls will an "exciting young altoist with a lethal approach to writing and soloing".
The World (Through My Shoes) is Will's third CD as a leader/composer. It's For You (Sirocco Jazz, 2004) was described as "combining a thoughtful originality of conception with energy and fluidity of execution in very satisfying proportions" (Jazzwise magazine), and "an auspicious debut, an album that is as mature in its conception as it is in its execution" (All About Jazz New York).
Promises (NineteenEight Records), was described as "impressive" and "coolly restrained" by Nate Chinen of the New York Times.
Will has appeared with his own group and as a sideman in the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, The Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Australia and Japan. His musical experience has not been limited to Jazz. Will is a member of Rufus Wainwright's band, which toured for 10 months in 2007/8. He has also performed, arranged and/or recorded with Sufjan Stevens, Sean Lennon, Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton and Harper Simon.
Will's saxophone playing is executed with incredible power and dramatic sensitivity, and is characterized by his imposing sound and technique; influenced by saxophonists from Cannonball to Chris Potter, he nevertheless brings his own unique approach to every performance. Will's writing, and the playing of his colleagues, combines a great respect for the century-long jazz tradition with explorations into the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic realms of contemporary forms.
"Muscular, authoritatively purposeful... equally capable of arresting delicacy and lyricism" - The Scotsman
"Cooly restrained... an impressive new effort" - New York Times
"Promises is the delivery... a fine album" - All About Jazz
"A lethal approach to writing and soloing" - Time Out
"Spectacular... adroit and sophisticated" - The Guardian
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It was an overheard and unwitting mixed-metaphor "to see the world through someone else's shoes" that inspired the title of this album. And fittingly, having been recorded live before invited guests at one of New York's historic neighborhood bars, the latest CD from Will Vinson is a raw, unedited opportunity to experience an hour "through the shoes" of the audience. Recorded and photographed by the great photographer Jimmy Katz, this CD has both the intimate feel of a Brooklyn living room, and the unpretentious sound of a working quartet, consisting of New York's finest young musicians, going about their business.
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The New York Times hails Will Vinson's new CD 'Promises' as 'An impressive new effort'
This is the second offering by Will and features original music performed by a stand-out group of dynamic young musicians including:
Aaron Parks - Piano
Lage Lund - Guitar
Orlando Le Fleming - Bass
Rodney Green - Drums (except track 3)
Ari Hoenig - Drums (track 3)