Friday, May 23, 2003 | 9:17 a.m.
Jerry Fink's lounge column appears on Fridays. Reach him at [email protected] at (702) 259-4058.
Ernie Wilkins was one of the world's greatest jazz arrangers, composers and orchestrators.
Some of his arrangements, such as "One O'Clock Jump," helped revive the career of Count Basie. Several arrangements for Duke Ellington ("Take the 'A' Train" and"Sophisticated Lady") are classics. Wilkins, a native of St. Louis, died in Copenhagen June 5, 1999, at age 77.
His brother, trombonist Jimmy Wilkins, moved to Las Vegas about eight years ago to escape the cold Michigan winters.
Since April the retired postal worker and lifelong musician has been performing Monday nights at Murphy's Pub at 3985 E. Sunset Road with his 17-piece orchestra.
Wilkins, who has held onto his brother's musical library of arrangements and compositions, will celebrate his 82nd birthday while performing Monday.
"Ernie and I worked together quite a bit in high school, when we both started learning music," Wilkins, also a native of St. Louis, recalled. "We had a swing band in high school. We both got music scholarships to the University of Ohio. We were in the Navy band together. Then we worked together around St. Louis a lot."
Eventually the brothers joined different bands, but ended up together again with the Basie orchestra from 1953 to 1955.
Ernie joined Basie first in 1951 as a saxophonist and arranger. Then he suggested that Basie bring Jimmy into the fold. It was the period when Basie was making his comeback.
"One of the major factors was the addition of Joe Williams," Wilkins said.
Ernie arranged a number for Williams, "Every Day I Have The Blues." The song launched Williams' career.
"That song really made Joe," Wilkins said.
After Jimmy Wilkins left Basie he put music on the back burner.
"I moved to Detroit and got involved in the restaurant business with an uncle," he said. "For a long time I stopped playing altogether, but then I got restless."
Wilkins said initially his hours at the restaurant didn't permit him to keep his music going, but eventually he became the day manager.
"It left me time to get involved in music again," he said. "Then I took a job in the post office and stayed there 23 years. When I retired from that I got involved with the Artists in Residence program in the school system outside Detroit. I did that for six years."
During his career with the post office and as a restaurant manager, he performed in concerts and for dances.
"I did a short tour with the Supremes when they were hot," Wilkins said.
He toured Europe at one point in his career, but mostly he stayed in the Midwest, around Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.
"We moved to Vegas in '94," he said. "I was sick of the cold weather, and I kind of liked the atmosphere here. It seemed to be alive, always something to do. The jazz scene was better here then than it is now. The younger entrepreneurs today just don't support it."
Wilkins had performed in Vegas before moving here.
"I was at the Flamingo with the Basie band," he recalled.
After settling in Vegas full time, Wilkins put together a rehearsal band and began playing his brother's arrangements. Soon the orchestra turned professional and began getting steady gigs at Four Queens, Riviera and other venues, including concerts in parks around town.
Anyone with a love of jazz or history should drop by Murphy's Monday night and wish Wilkins a happy birthday.
Lounging around
Las Vegas entertainment legend Buddy Greco says he was excited to learn one of his recordings, "Here I am in Love Again," was on the soundtrack of the latest Michael Douglas film, "It Runs in the Family." The film also features Michael's father, Kirk, and son, Cameron. Greco said he learned about the recording being in the film after returning from a national tour of "Fever" with his wife, Lezlie Anders. The production is a tribute to the late Peggy Lee.
Vocalist Jami Lula will be the guest soloist in a performance at First Church of Religious Science, 1420 E. Harmon Ave., at 2 p.m. June 8. Admission price is $15.
The Noel Freidline Quintet, one of Las Vegas' premiere jazz bands, will perform at Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park at 7 p.m. June 7. Tickets are $12 at the gate or $10 in advance. Call 229-6704 for information.
Jazz guitarist Mark May will perform at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday at Boulder Station's Railhead as part of the venue's free blues concerts.
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