Thad, although born in New Jersey, began his musical life as a child while living in Alabama. At a young age, he moved back to New Jersey and studied with Jimmy Owens, former member of Dizzy Gillespie’s big band who soon became an important mentor in Thads career. A fixture of the DC jazz scene for 20+ years, his eclectic approach to music can be seen across his different projects as a leader including his prestigious Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra as well as the long list of legendary musicians he has shared the stage with such as Charlie Persip, Illinois Jacquet, James Moody, Benny Golson, Cecil Bridgewater, Andrew White, Buck Hill, Keter Betts, Johny O’Neal, Russell Malone, Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, Bone Krusher, Khalfani and The Blackbyrds.
In 1995, The Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra was established in Atlanta, Georgia. The band included the likes of Tia Fuller, Andre Heyward, Lee Hogans, Joe Grandsden and many other young talents. By 1997, Thad was heading north, landing himself in the nation’s capital. “I felt I needed to make my way back to New York City, and Washington, D.C. was on the way. Somehow, I wound up here and felt really at home with audiences and musicians.”
It was here that he started the Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra. “All of a sudden it felt like the skies opened up and I could spread my wings.” When the band held the Monday night slot at the legendary One Step Down, the great Andrew White was a regular attendee. During that period, the renowned drummer and vocalist, Grady Tate, agreed to be a guest artist with the Orchestra at the world famous Blues Alley Jazz Club. Since then, The Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra has been a major contributor in the DC jazz scene.
The group has performed for numerous engagements including, Taste of DC, The Smithsonian Museum’s Portrait Gallery, The Kennedy Center, The Corcoran Museum, The National Gallery of Art and numerous international festivals and concerts.
