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Wilton Felder played Bass on Four Tops Live & In Concert ( ABC Dunhill, 1974)
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{{Short description|American saxophone and bass player (1940–2015)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Wilton Felder
| name = Wilton Felder
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| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|9|27|1940|8|31}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|9|27|1940|8|31}}
| death_place = [[Whittier, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Whittier, California]], U.S.
| genre = [[Jazz]], [[R&B]]
| genre = [[Jazz fusion]], [[crossover jazz]], [[jazz]], [[jazz funk]], [[smooth jazz]]
| occupation = Musician
| occupation = Musician
| instrument = [[Saxophone]], [[Bass guitar|bass]]
| instrument = [[Saxophone]], [[Bass guitar|bass]]
| years_active = 1959–2015
| years_active = 1959–2015
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts = [[The Crusaders (Houston group)|The Crusaders]]
| past_member_of = [[The Crusaders (Houston group)|The Crusaders]], [[Bobby Womack]], David T. Walker, [[Marvin Gaye]]
}}
}}
'''Wilton Lewis Felder''' (August 31, 1940 – September 27, 2015) was an American [[saxophone]] and [[bass guitar|bass]] player, and is best known as a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, later known as [[The Crusaders (Houston group)|The Crusaders]].
'''Wilton Lewis Felder''' (August 31, 1940 – September 27, 2015) was an American [[saxophone]] and [[bass guitar|bass]] player, and is best known as a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, later known as [[The Crusaders (Houston group)|The Crusaders]]. Felder played bass on [[the Jackson 5]]'s hits "[[I Want You Back]]" and "[[ABC (The Jackson 5 song)|ABC]]" and on [[Marvin Gaye]]'s "[[Let's Get It On (song)|Let's Get It On]]".


==Biography==
==Biography==
Felder was born in [[Houston, Texas]] and studied music at [[Texas Southern University]].<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|last= Slotnik |first= Daniel E. |title= Wilton Felder, Saxophonist for the Crusaders, Dies at 75 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/arts/music/wilton-felder-saxophonist-for-the-crusaders-dies-at-75.html|accessdate= November 14, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date= October 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=independent>{{cite news|last= Williams|first= Richard |title= Wilton Felder obituary |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/08/wilton-felder|accessdate= November 14, 2016|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=October 8, 2015}}</ref> Felder, [[Wayne Henderson (musician)|Wayne Henderson]], [[Joe Sample]], and [[Stix Hooper]] founded their group while in high school in Houston. The Jazz Crusaders evolved from a straight-ahead [[jazz]] combo into a pioneering [[jazz-rock]] fusion group, with a definite [[soul music]] influence. Felder worked with the original group for over thirty years, and continued to work in its later versions, which often featured other founding members.
Felder was born on August 31, 1940, in [[Houston, Texas]] and studied music at [[Texas Southern University]].<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|last= Slotnik |first= Daniel E. |title= Wilton Felder, Saxophonist for the Crusaders, Dies at 75 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/04/arts/music/wilton-felder-saxophonist-for-the-crusaders-dies-at-75.html|access-date= November 14, 2016|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date= October 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name=independent>{{cite news|last= Williams|first= Richard |title= Wilton Felder obituary |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/08/wilton-felder|access-date= November 14, 2016|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=October 8, 2015}}</ref> Felder, [[Wayne Henderson (musician)|Wayne Henderson]], [[Joe Sample]], and [[Stix Hooper]] founded their group while in high school in Houston. The Jazz Crusaders evolved from a straight-ahead [[jazz]] combo into a pioneering [[jazz-rock]] fusion group, with a definite [[soul music]] influence. Felder worked with the original group for over thirty years, and continued to work in its later versions, which often featured other founding members.


Felder also worked as a [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] [[recording studio|studio]] [[session musician|musician]], mostly playing electric bass, for various soul and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] musicians, and was one of the in-house bass players for [[Motown Records]], when the [[record label]] opened operations in [[Los Angeles]] in the early 1970s. He played on [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]] by [[the Jackson 5]] such as "[[I Want You Back]]" and "[[The Love You Save]]", as well as for [[Marvin Gaye]] and [[Grant Green]]. He also played bass for soft rock groups like [[Seals and Crofts]]. Also of note were his contributions to the [[John Cale]] album ''[[Paris 1919 (album)|Paris 1919]]'', [[Steely Dan]]'s ''[[Pretzel Logic]]'' (1974), and [[Billy Joel]]'s ''[[Piano Man (Billy Joel album)|Piano Man]]'' and ''[[Streetlife Serenade]]'' albums. He was one of three bass players on [[Randy Newman]]'s ''[[Sail Away (Randy Newman album)|Sail Away]]'' (1972) and [[Joan Baez]]' ''[[Diamonds & Rust]]''. Felder also anchored [[album]]s from [[Joni Mitchell]] and [[Michael Franks (musician)|Michael Franks]].
Felder also worked as a [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] [[recording studio|studio]] [[session musician|musician]], mostly playing electric bass, for various soul and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] musicians, and was one of the in-house bass players for [[Motown Records]], when the [[record label]] opened operations in [[Los Angeles]] in the early 1970s. He played on [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]] by [[the Jackson 5]] such as "[[I Want You Back]]", "[[ABC (The Jackson 5 song)|ABC]]" and "[[The Love You Save]]", as well as recordings by [[Marvin Gaye]] including "[[Let's Get It On (song)|Let's Get It On]]" and "[[I Want You (Marvin Gaye song)|I Want You]]". He also played bass for soft rock groups like [[Seals and Crofts]]. Also of note were his contributions to the [[John Cale]] album ''[[Paris 1919 (album)|Paris 1919]]'', [[Steely Dan]]'s ''[[Pretzel Logic]]'' (1974), and [[Billy Joel]]'s ''[[Piano Man (Billy Joel album)|Piano Man]]'' and ''[[Streetlife Serenade]]'' albums. He was one of three bass players on [[Randy Newman]]'s ''[[Sail Away (Randy Newman album)|Sail Away]]'' (1972) and [[Joan Baez]]' ''[[Diamonds & Rust]]''. Felder also anchored [[album]]s from [[Grant Green]], [[Joni Mitchell]] and [[Michael Franks (musician)|Michael Franks]]. Felder released the album "Inherit the Wind" with [[Bobby Womack]] in 1980.<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/inherit-the-wind-mw0000880829 Inherit the Wind] allmusic Retrieved 13 March 2024</ref>


His album ''Secrets'', which prominently featured [[Bobby Womack]] on vocals, reached No.&nbsp;77 in the [[UK Albums Chart]] in 1985.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{Cite book
His album ''Secrets'', which prominently featured [[Bobby Womack]] on vocals, reached No.&nbsp;77 in the [[UK Albums Chart]] in 1985.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{Cite book
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| page= 197}}</ref> The album featured the minor hit, "(No Matter How High I Get) I'll Still be Looking Up to You", sung by Womack and Alltrinna Grayson.
| page= 197}}</ref> The album featured the minor hit, "(No Matter How High I Get) I'll Still be Looking Up to You", sung by Womack and Alltrinna Grayson.


Felder played a King Super 20 tenor sax with a metal 105/0 Berg Larsen mouthpiece. He also used [[Yamaha]] saxes. He played a [[Fender Telecaster]] bass, and also played [[Aria (guitar company)|Aria]] bass guitars.
Felder played a King Super 20 tenor sax with a metal 105/0 Berg Larsen mouthpiece. He also used [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] saxes. He played a [[Fender Telecaster Bass]], and also played [[Aria (guitar company)|Aria]] bass guitars.


Felder died in 2015 at his home in [[Whittier, California]] from [[multiple myeloma]].<ref name=nytimes/> He was 75.<ref name=washingtonpost>{{cite news|last= Colker|first= David |title= Wilton Felder, musician who played on many pop hits, dies at 75 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/wilton-felder-musician-who-played-on-many-pop-hits-dies-at-75/2015/10/07/365e4a96-69e4-11e5-9ef3-fde182507eac_story.html |accessdate= November 14, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last= Smith|first= William Michael |title=Legendary Crusaders Sax Man Wilton Felder Passes Away|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/music/legendary-crusaders-sax-man-wilton-felder-passes-away-7800449|date= September 27, 2015|newspaper=[[Houston Press]]| accessdate=September 27, 2015}}</ref>
Felder died in 2015 at his home in [[Whittier, California]] from [[multiple myeloma]].<ref name=nytimes/> He was 75.<ref name=washingtonpost>{{cite news|last= Colker|first= David |title= Wilton Felder, musician who played on many pop hits, dies at 75 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/wilton-felder-musician-who-played-on-many-pop-hits-dies-at-75/2015/10/07/365e4a96-69e4-11e5-9ef3-fde182507eac_story.html |access-date= November 14, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last= Smith|first= William Michael |title=Legendary Crusaders Sax Man Wilton Felder Passes Away|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/music/legendary-crusaders-sax-man-wilton-felder-passes-away-7800449|date= September 27, 2015|newspaper=[[Houston Press]]| access-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==


===As leader/co-leader===
===As leader/co-leader===
* ''[[Bullitt (album)|Bullitt]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
* ''[[Bullitt (Wilton Felder album)|Bullitt]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
* ''We All Have a Star'' (MCA, 1978)
* ''We All Have a Star'' (MCA, 1978)
* ''Inherit the Wind'' (MCA, 1980)
* ''Inherit the Wind'' (MCA, 1980)
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'''With [[The Crusaders (Houston group)|The (Jazz) Crusaders]]'''
'''With [[The Crusaders (Houston group)|The (Jazz) Crusaders]]'''
* ''[[Free As The Wind]]'' 1976
* ''[[Freedom Sound (The Jazz Crusaders album)|Freedom Sound]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961)
* ''[[Freedom Sound (The Jazz Crusaders album)|Freedom Sound]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961)
* ''[[Lookin' Ahead]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1962)
* ''[[Lookin' Ahead]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1962)
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* ''[[Powerhouse (The Jazz Crusaders album)|Powerhouse]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
* ''[[Powerhouse (The Jazz Crusaders album)|Powerhouse]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
* ''[[Lighthouse '69]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
* ''[[Lighthouse '69]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
* ''[[Street Life (The Crusaders album)|Street Life]]'' (1979), played sax and bass
* ''[[Royal Jam|Royal Jam]]'' (1982)


===As sideman===
===As sideman===
With Four Tops

. Four Tops Live & In Concert ( ABC Dunhill, 1974)

'''With [[Donald Byrd]]'''
'''With [[Donald Byrd]]'''
* ''[[Ethiopian Knights]]'' (Blue Note, 1972)
* ''[[Ethiopian Knights]]'' (Blue Note, 1972)
'''With [[Joan Baez]]'''
'''With [[Joan Baez]]'''
* ''[[Diamonds & Rust]]'' (A&M Records, 1975)
* ''[[Diamonds & Rust]]'' (A&M, 1975)
* ''[[Blowin' Away]]'' (Portrait Records, 1977)
* ''[[Blowin' Away]]'' (Portrait, 1977)
'''With [[John Cale]]'''
'''With [[John Cale]]'''
* ''[[Paris 1919 (album)|Paris 1919]]'' (Reprise Records, 1972)
* ''[[Paris 1919 (album)|Paris 1919]]'' (Reprise, 1972)
'''With [[Michael Franks (musician)|Michael Franks]]
'''With [[Michael Franks (musician)|Michael Franks]]
* ''[[The Art of Tea]]'' (Reprise Records, 1976)
* ''[[The Art of Tea]]'' (Reprise, 1976)
* ''[[Sleeping Gypsy (album)|Sleeping Gypsy]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)
* ''[[Sleeping Gypsy (album)|Sleeping Gypsy]]'' (Warner Bros., 1977)
'''With [[Dizzy Gillespie]]'''
'''With [[Dizzy Gillespie]]'''
* ''[[Free Ride (album)|Free Ride]]'' (Pablo, 1977) composed and arranged by [[Lalo Schifrin]]
* ''[[Free Ride (album)|Free Ride]]'' (Pablo, 1977) composed and arranged by [[Lalo Schifrin]]
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* ''[[Live at The Lighthouse (Grant Green album)|Live at The Lighthouse]]'' (Blue Note, 1972)
* ''[[Live at The Lighthouse (Grant Green album)|Live at The Lighthouse]]'' (Blue Note, 1972)
'''With [[Richard Holmes (organist)|Richard "Groove" Holmes]]'''
'''With [[Richard Holmes (organist)|Richard "Groove" Holmes]]'''
* ''[[Welcome Home (Richard "Groove" Holmes album)|Welcome Home]]'' (World Pacific Jazz, 1968)
* ''[[Welcome Home (Richard "Groove" Holmes album)|Welcome Home]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1968)
'''With [[Harry Nilsson]]'''
'''With [[Harry Nilsson]]'''
* ''[[Flash Harry (album)|Flash Harry]]'' (Mercury Records, 1980)
* ''[[Flash Harry (album)|Flash Harry]]'' (Mercury, 1980)
'''With [[Marvin Gaye]]'''
'''With [[Marvin Gaye]]'''
* ''[[Let's Get It On]]'' (Tamla, 1973)
* ''[[Let's Get It On]]'' (Tamla, 1973)
* ''[[I Want You (Marvin Gaye album)|I Want You]]'' (Motown Records, 1976)
* ''[[I Want You (Marvin Gaye album)|I Want You]]'' (Motown, 1976)
'''With [[Matraca Berg]]'''
'''With [[Matraca Berg]]'''
* ''The Speed of Grace'' (MCA Records, 1994)
* ''The Speed of Grace'' (MCA, 1994)
'''With [[Paul Anka]]'''
'''With [[Paul Anka]]'''
* ''The Painter'' (United Artists Records, 1976)
* ''The Painter'' (United Artists, 1976)
'''With [[Solomon Burke]]'''
'''With [[Solomon Burke]]'''
* ''Electronic Magnetism'' (MGM Records, 1971)
* ''Electronic Magnetism'' (MGM, 1971)
'''With [[Donovan]]'''
'''With [[Donovan]]'''
* ''[[Slow Down World]]'' (Epic Records, 1976)
* ''[[Slow Down World]]'' (Epic, 1976)
* ''[[Lady of the Stars]]'' (RCA Records, 1984)
* ''[[Lady of the Stars]]'' (RCA, 1984)
'''With [[Jackson Browne]]'''
'''With [[Jackson Browne]]'''
* ''[[For Everyman]]'' (Asylum Records, 1973)
* ''[[For Everyman]]'' (Asylum, 1973)
'''With [[Jennifer Warnes]]'''
'''With [[Jennifer Warnes]]'''
* ''[[Jennifer (album)|Jennifer]]'' (Reprise Records, 1972)
* ''[[Jennifer (album)|Jennifer]]'' (Reprise, 1972)
'''With [[Milt Jackson]]'''
'''With [[Milt Jackson]]'''
* ''[[Memphis Jackson]]'' (Impulse!, 1969)
* ''[[Memphis Jackson]]'' (Impulse!, 1969)
'''With [[Tina Turner]]'''
'''With [[Tina Turner]]'''
* ''[[Private Dancer]]'' (Capitol Records, 1984)
* ''[[Private Dancer]]'' (Capitol, 1984)
'''With [[John Klemmer]]'''
'''With [[John Klemmer]]'''
* ''[[Constant Throb]]'' (Impulse!, 1971)
* ''[[Constant Throb]]'' (Impulse!, 1971)
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* ''[[Reelin' with the Feelin']]'' (Prestige, 1969)
* ''[[Reelin' with the Feelin']]'' (Prestige, 1969)
'''With [[Minnie Riperton]]'''
'''With [[Minnie Riperton]]'''
* ''[[Stay in Love]]'' (Epic Records, 1977)
* ''[[Stay in Love]]'' (Epic, 1977)
'''With [[Ringo Starr]]'''
'''With [[Ringo Starr]]'''
* ''[[Stop and Smell the Roses]]'' (RCA Records, 1981)
* ''[[Stop and Smell the Roses (Ringo Starr album)|Stop and Smell the Roses]]'' (RCA, 1981)
'''With [[Carmen McRae]]'''
'''With [[Carmen McRae]]'''
* ''[[Can't Hide Love (album)|Can't Hide Love]]'' (Blue Note Records, 1976)
* ''[[Can't Hide Love (album)|Can't Hide Love]]'' (Blue Note, 1976)
'''With [[Billy Joel]]'''
'''With [[Billy Joel]]'''
* ''[[Piano Man (Billy Joel album)|Piano Man]]'' (Columbia Records, 1973)
* ''[[Piano Man (Billy Joel album)|Piano Man]]'' (Columbia, 1973)
* ''[[Streetlife Serenade]]'' (Columbia Records, 1974)
* ''[[Streetlife Serenade]]'' (Columbia, 1974)
'''With [[Randy Crawford]]'''
'''With [[Randy Crawford]]'''
* ''[[Now We May Begin]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1980)
* ''[[Now We May Begin]]'' (Warner Bros., 1980)
'''With [[Joni Mitchell]]'''
'''With [[Joni Mitchell]]'''
* ''[[For the Roses]]'' (Asylum Records, 1972)
* ''[[For the Roses]]'' (Asylum, 1972)
* ''[[Court and Spark]]'' (Asylum Records, 1974)
* ''[[Court and Spark]]'' (Asylum, 1974)
* ''[[The Hissing of Summer Lawns]]'' (Asylum Records, 1975)
* ''[[The Hissing of Summer Lawns]]'' (Asylum, 1975)
'''With [[B.B. King]]'''
'''With [[B.B. King]]'''
* ''[[Midnight Believer]]'' (ABC Records, 1978)
* ''[[Midnight Believer]]'' (ABC, 1978)
* ''[[Take It Home (B.B. King album)|Take It Home]]'' (ABC Records, 1979)
* ''[[Take It Home (B.B. King album)|Take It Home]]'' (ABC, 1979)
'''With [[Wendy Waldman]]'''
'''With [[Wendy Waldman]]'''
* ''Love Has Got Me'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1973)
* ''Love Has Got Me'' (Warner Bros., 1973)
'''With [[Randy Newman]]'''
'''With [[Randy Newman]]'''
* ''[[Sail Away (Randy Newman album)|Sail Away]]'' (Reprise Records, 1972)
* ''[[Sail Away (Randy Newman album)|Sail Away]]'' (Reprise, 1972)
'''With [[Shuggie Otis]]'''
'''With [[Shuggie Otis]]'''
* ''[[Here Comes Shuggie Otis]]'' (Epic Records, 1970)
* ''[[Here Comes Shuggie Otis]]'' (Epic, 1970)
* ''[[Freedom Flight (Shuggie Otis album)|Freedom Flight]]'' (Epic, 1971)
* ''[[Freedom Flight (Shuggie Otis album)|Freedom Flight]]'' (Epic, 1971)
'''With [[Dusty Springfield]]'''
'''With [[Dusty Springfield]]'''
* ''[[Cameo (album)|Cameo]]'' (ABC Records, 1973)
* ''[[Cameo (album)|Cameo]]'' (ABC, 1973)
'''With [[Jean-Luc Ponty]]'''
'''With [[Jean-Luc Ponty]]'''
* ''[[King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa]]'' (World Pacific/Liberty, 1970)
* ''[[King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa]]'' (World Pacific/Liberty, 1970)
'''With [[Seals & Crofts]]'''
'''With [[Seals & Crofts]]'''
* ''[[Summer Breeze (album)|Summer Breeze]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1972)
* ''[[Summer Breeze (Seals and Crofts album)|Summer Breeze]]'' (Warner Bros., 1972)
* ''[[Diamond Girl (album)|Diamond Girl]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1973)
* ''[[Diamond Girl (album)|Diamond Girl]]'' (Warner Bros., 1973)
* ''[[I'll Play for You]]'' (Warner Brothers, 1975)
* ''[[I'll Play for You]]'' (Warner Bros., 1975)
* ''[[Get Closer (Seals and Crofts album)|Get Closer]]'' (Warner Brothers, 1976)
* ''[[Get Closer (Seals and Crofts album)|Get Closer]]'' (Warner Bros., 1976)
* ''[[Sudan Village]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)
* ''[[Sudan Village]]'' (Warner Bros., 1976)
'''With [[Jimmy Smith (musician)|Jimmy Smith]]'''
'''With [[Jimmy Smith (musician)|Jimmy Smith]]'''
* ''[[Root Down (album)|Root Down]]'' (Verve, 1972)
* ''[[Root Down (album)|Root Down]]'' (Verve, 1972)
'''With [[Steely Dan]]'''
'''With [[Steely Dan]]'''
* ''[[Pretzel Logic]]'' (ABC Records, 1974)
* ''[[Pretzel Logic]]'' (ABC, 1974)
* ''[[Katy Lied]]'' (ABC, 1975)
'''With [[Gerald Wilson]]'''
'''With [[Gerald Wilson]]'''
* ''[[California Soul (album)|California Soul]]'' (Pacific Records, 1968)
* ''[[California Soul (album)|California Soul]]'' (Pacific Jazz, 1968)
'''With [[Hugh Masekela]]'''
'''With [[Hugh Masekela]]'''
* ''[[Reconstruction (Hugh Masekela album)|Reconstruction]]'' (Chisa, 1970)
* ''[[Reconstruction (Hugh Masekela album)|Reconstruction]]'' (Chisa, 1970)
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{Allmusic |class=artist |id=wilton-felder-mn0000575199}}
*{{AllMusic |class=artist |id=wilton-felder-mn0000575199}}
*{{Discogs artist|60453-Wilton-Felder}}
*{{Discogs artist|60453-Wilton-Felder}}
*{{IMDb name|0270968}}
*{{IMDb name|0270968}}
*[http://www.ricksuchow.com/press-group-250.html Wilton Felder] isolated bass parts on Jackson 5 hits
*[http://www.ricksuchow.com/press-group-250.html Wilton Felder] isolated bass parts on Jackson 5 hits
*{{Find a Grave|152988011}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:American jazz saxophonists]]
[[Category:American jazz saxophonists]]
[[Category:American male saxophonists]]
[[Category:American male saxophonists]]
[[Category:Deaths from multiple myeloma]]
[[Category:Deaths from multiple myeloma in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from bone cancer in California]]
[[Category:Musicians from Houston]]
[[Category:Musicians from Houston]]
[[Category:Soul-jazz musicians]]
[[Category:Soul-jazz musicians]]
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[[Category:Guitarists from Texas]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Texas]]
[[Category:20th-century American bass guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Male jazz musicians]]
[[Category:American male jazz musicians]]
[[Category:The Crusaders members]]
[[Category:The Crusaders members]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:The Love Unlimited Orchestra members]]
[[Category:20th-century American saxophonists]]

Latest revision as of 17:22, 11 November 2024

Wilton Felder
Felder in 1978
Background information
Birth nameWilton Lewis Felder
Born(1940-08-31)August 31, 1940
Houston, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 27, 2015(2015-09-27) (aged 75)
Whittier, California, U.S.
GenresJazz fusion, crossover jazz, jazz, jazz funk, smooth jazz
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Saxophone, bass
Years active1959–2015
Formerly ofThe Crusaders, Bobby Womack, David T. Walker, Marvin Gaye

Wilton Lewis Felder (August 31, 1940 – September 27, 2015) was an American saxophone and bass player, and is best known as a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, later known as The Crusaders. Felder played bass on the Jackson 5's hits "I Want You Back" and "ABC" and on Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On".

Biography

[edit]

Felder was born on August 31, 1940, in Houston, Texas and studied music at Texas Southern University.[1][2] Felder, Wayne Henderson, Joe Sample, and Stix Hooper founded their group while in high school in Houston. The Jazz Crusaders evolved from a straight-ahead jazz combo into a pioneering jazz-rock fusion group, with a definite soul music influence. Felder worked with the original group for over thirty years, and continued to work in its later versions, which often featured other founding members.

Felder also worked as a West Coast studio musician, mostly playing electric bass, for various soul and R&B musicians, and was one of the in-house bass players for Motown Records, when the record label opened operations in Los Angeles in the early 1970s. He played on recordings by the Jackson 5 such as "I Want You Back", "ABC" and "The Love You Save", as well as recordings by Marvin Gaye including "Let's Get It On" and "I Want You". He also played bass for soft rock groups like Seals and Crofts. Also of note were his contributions to the John Cale album Paris 1919, Steely Dan's Pretzel Logic (1974), and Billy Joel's Piano Man and Streetlife Serenade albums. He was one of three bass players on Randy Newman's Sail Away (1972) and Joan Baez' Diamonds & Rust. Felder also anchored albums from Grant Green, Joni Mitchell and Michael Franks. Felder released the album "Inherit the Wind" with Bobby Womack in 1980.[3]

His album Secrets, which prominently featured Bobby Womack on vocals, reached No. 77 in the UK Albums Chart in 1985.[4] The album featured the minor hit, "(No Matter How High I Get) I'll Still be Looking Up to You", sung by Womack and Alltrinna Grayson.

Felder played a King Super 20 tenor sax with a metal 105/0 Berg Larsen mouthpiece. He also used Yamaha saxes. He played a Fender Telecaster Bass, and also played Aria bass guitars.

Felder died in 2015 at his home in Whittier, California from multiple myeloma.[1] He was 75.[5][6]

Discography

[edit]

As leader/co-leader

[edit]
  • Bullitt (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
  • We All Have a Star (MCA, 1978)
  • Inherit the Wind (MCA, 1980)
  • Gentle Fire (MCA, 1983)
  • Secrets (MCA, 1985)
  • Love Is a Rush (MCA, 1987)
  • Nocturnal Moods (PAR, 1991)
  • Forever, Always (PAR, 1992)
  • Lets Spend Some Time (BCS, 2005)

With The (Jazz) Crusaders

As sideman

[edit]

With Four Tops

. Four Tops Live & In Concert ( ABC Dunhill, 1974)

With Donald Byrd

With Joan Baez

With John Cale

With Michael Franks

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Grant Green

With Richard "Groove" Holmes

With Harry Nilsson

With Marvin Gaye

With Matraca Berg

  • The Speed of Grace (MCA, 1994)

With Paul Anka

  • The Painter (United Artists, 1976)

With Solomon Burke

  • Electronic Magnetism (MGM, 1971)

With Donovan

With Jackson Browne

With Jennifer Warnes

With Milt Jackson

With Tina Turner

With John Klemmer

With Charles Kynard

With Minnie Riperton

With Ringo Starr

With Carmen McRae

With Billy Joel

With Randy Crawford

With Joni Mitchell

With B.B. King

With Wendy Waldman

  • Love Has Got Me (Warner Bros., 1973)

With Randy Newman

With Shuggie Otis

With Dusty Springfield

With Jean-Luc Ponty

With Seals & Crofts

With Jimmy Smith

With Steely Dan

With Gerald Wilson

With Hugh Masekela

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Slotnik, Daniel E. (October 3, 2015). "Wilton Felder, Saxophonist for the Crusaders, Dies at 75". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  2. ^ Williams, Richard (October 8, 2015). "Wilton Felder obituary". The Independent. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  3. ^ Inherit the Wind allmusic Retrieved 13 March 2024
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 197. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ Colker, David. "Wilton Felder, musician who played on many pop hits, dies at 75". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  6. ^ Smith, William Michael (September 27, 2015). "Legendary Crusaders Sax Man Wilton Felder Passes Away". Houston Press. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
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