Music
Press
"Wilson's reflections on Katrina and its afterm ath are expressed in his latest disc, Gloryland. The laidback shuffle "Boyou De Chat Noir" paints a grim but hopeful picture of the NOLA music scene...It's a poignant tune on an album that plays like a love letter to the struggling city...Much has changed since Katrina, but he's optimistic about the future of his beloved Big Easy."
Casey Rea - Seven Days, Burlington, VT
"Cascades of sound erupt from his guitar as furiously propulsive basslines throb behind his high, ghostly vocals...Chip is radiating pleasure through the room...A packed house erupts in applause after every tune."
Marc Stone - Offbeat, New Orleans
"Wilson is the real deal..."
Scott Jordan - Gambit Weekly, New Orleans
"He's got that sweet voice that floats effortlessly into falsetto, and guitar work that makes even non-guitarists gasp and blink, all used in the service of music, not show. His songs are on point and to the point, his choice of material relected an insiders understanding of all thing N'Awleenz...connecting with the audience with style, humility and warmth. Yes, you should see him when you get a chance."
George Thomas, Vermont Public Radio Deejay - George Thomas, VPR
"Wilson uses music to communicate with people."
Nat Frothingham - The Montpelier Bridge
"...a renaissance man...a fine, funky Southern feel..."
Robert Resnik - Seven Days, Burlington, VT
"Wilson fits well into the lineage of New Orleans music..."
John Radinovich - Offbeat, New Orleans
"...real magic begins when he steps to the microphone...prodigious talent..." - Pensacola News Journal
Discography
A Jumpin' Somethin' (Offbeat "Best of the Beat" Nominee)
Mostly Blue
Map of the World
Gloryland
to purchase CDs, go to www.louisianamusicfactory.com
new solo CD and Harkness, Haynes and Wilson debut CD available soon!
Photos
Bio
Guitarist, writer, guitarmaker and singer/songwriter Chip Wilson lives in New Orleans, the city that has bred much of American music.
After his first nightclub performances ("fifteen years old, paid five dollars and all the beer I could drink"), Chip Wilson toured the US with the Maple Hill String Band in his teens. He settled in Vermont and built guitars, continuing to play in jazz and rock bands.
In the early 1990s, he moved to New Orleans, and let his music be shaped by that influential music culture. By the millenium, he had undertaken a schedule of 9 or 10 gigs a week, well over 400 per year. He has performed and recorded with Charles Neville (Neville Brothers, Grammy winner), George Porter (The Meters), Mem Shannon (W. C. Handy Award nominee), Erving Charles, Jr (Fats Domino Band), R & B stars Tommy Ridgely, Eddie Bo, Oliver "Who Shot The La La" Morgan, as well as Grammy winners Leroy Preston (Asleep at the Wheel), Michael Ray (Kool and the Gang, Sun Ra Arkestra) and Smithsonian Fellow Howard Armstrong. Career highlights include performances at the Umbria Jazz Festival, The Discover Jazz Festival, The Champlain Valley Folk Festival, The News Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The French Quarter Festival, The Portsmouth Blues Festival, Tipitina's, the House Of Blues (New Orleans and Boston), Caffe Lena, and Passim Coffeehouse.
After the catastrophe of Katrina struck New Orleans, Chip Wilson traveled and continued to make music; he raised awareness of the debt owed by American culture to his stricken city and over $100,00.00 for hurricane relief. Now resettled in the Crescent City, he plays locally and tours frequently.
Chip; will appear at the 2006 Umbria Jazz Festival in Orvieto, Italy.
Chip Wilson primarily performs solo, but is also available with Harkness, Haynes and Wilson. Master percussionist Jeff Haynes (Cassandra Wilson, Pat Metheny, Lizz Wright) and Windham Hill artist Sean Harkness (guitar, bass, baritone guitar) are working with Chip on their debut album.
Chip Wilson learned how to build guitars from Jimmy D'Aquisto, the pre-eminent 20th Century archtop builder. He writes for Vintage Guitar magazine, Guitarmaker magazine and community newspaper The Montpelier Bridge.
Links
