Orlandus Wilson

Wilson on stage, 1964

Orlandus Wilson (August 27, 1917 in Chesapeake, Virginia – December 30, 1998 in Paris) was one of the longest standing members of the Golden Gate Quartet and the group's bass singer.[1][2]

He joined the Golden Gate Jubilee Singers in 1934 and only announced his retirement from the quartet in October 1998. Apart from a forced break in 1944 when he was drafted and temporarily replaced by Cliff Givens, Wilson supplied the basis for the quartet. Wilson managed the formation, and supplied a majority of the arrangements and some compositions.[3][4][5][6] His rhythmic feel has been said to be essential to the group's "jump, glide, bounce and swing".[7]

Personal life

With his wife, Gun, Wilson had a son. He relocated to Paris, along with the rest of the group, in 1958, and died there in 1998. He remained an active performer almost until his death.[3]

References

1. Notice de personne: Wilson, Orlandus (1917-1998) [Biographical Record: Wilson, Orlandus (1917-1998)] (in French). BnF Cataloge Général (National Library of France General Catalogue). Retrieved December 3, 2021.
2. "Orlandus Wilson, 81, bass voice for quartet". Sun Sentinel. January 12, 1999. p. 7B – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Orlandus Wilson [obituary]". Associated Press. John Pareles. "Orlandus Wilson, 81, Singer in Influential Gospel Quartet [obituary]". New York Times. Cited at "Orlandus Wilson". Fuller Up – The Dead Musician Directory. Elvispelvis.com. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
4. "The Golden Gate Quartet". CultD. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
5. "The Golden Gate Quartet – Spirituals To Swing 1955-1960 Vol.2". Discogs. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
6. M. W. Goodwin (February 22, 2002). "Orlandus Wilson". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
7. "The Golden Gate Quarted". International Jazz Productions. Retrieved December 3, 2021.