Equally comfortable performing with The Baltimore Symphony or The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Wilkerson constantly recreates himself as an artist. Refusing to cave under the pressure to “choose,” he has continued to pursue his love of playing music of various genres. His ability to play such diverse styles, has afforded him the opportunity to perform with some of the world's greatest talent. Among them are Wynton Marsalis, Stevie Wonder, Yo-Yo Ma, Grover Washington, Jr., Karen Clark, Kim Burrell, Richard Smallwood, Kathleen Battle, Gary Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and Patti LaBelle to name a few. As a soloist, Stan has thrilled audiences throughout the United States and Europe over the past decade.
To the surprise of many who know him as a trombonist only, Stan released his first vocal recording titled Secret Place in 2002. This Contemporary Christian CD with a captivating blend of jazz and gospel elements is the result of over 20 years of musical experience and a great desire to share his faith.
Wilkerson, a Savannah, Georgia native, began his musical studies in the public school system. Unbeknownst to him at the time, his most significant musical education was taking place in his father's church where he began singing and playing piano, guitar, bass, and drums. It was there he learned the harmonic language and improvisatory skills that would propel him into the upper echelon of young classical and jazz musicians.
Wilkerson received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Trombone Performance from The Florida State University, and his Master of Music Degree from the prestigious Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD. His orchestral career began when he won his first professional symphony job at age 19. After a few years of playing with various symphony orchestras, Stan met and played for jazz legend, Wynton Marsalis. At the admonition of Marsalis, Wilkerson kept in touch over the next several years. In 1994, he was asked to play lead trombone with Marsalis' jazz orchestra. Although he had recently won a position in the Knoxville Symphony, Wilkerson could not ignore his passion for playing jazz music.
Wilkerson continued his association with Marsalis, performing with The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in New York. Even with the hefty commute from Tennessee, he managed to spend enough time in New York to perform with legendary artists such as Bennie Carter, Joe Williams, Bobby Short, Lionel Hampton, Doc Cheatham, and James Moody.
Although he sang and played in church all his life, it was only recently that Stan felt the call to focus his talents in the area of music ministry. Wilkerson recently said,⦓All these years of performing and recording different styles of music was extensive training for this moment. I now know what I am supposed to do with my music.”
Stan lives in Columbia, MD with his wife, Jill and their two daughters, Kelly and Courtney. He is presently on the faculties of The Peabody Conservatory of Music, Goucher College, and Gilmor Junior Academy, an Edison Partnership school. Since moving to the area in 1996, Wilkerson has established himself as an integral part of the Washington/Baltimore music scene.
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