M.A., Classical Saxophone, Pittsburg State University (Kansas)
Professional Profile:
Stephen Wilkerson, is a saxophone and clarinet virtuoso, having performed with top artists, such as Herbie Hancock, Mel Torme, Cannonball Adderly, Nancy Wilson, The Temptations, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand.
Wilkerson has been professor of jazz at Mt. SAC since 1989. Highly rated by students, he is in high demand for lectures and guest performances both on and off campus.
Wilkerson’s professional career began at age 11, when he joined his father’s dance band. He was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Tulsa, where he studied classical clarinet under Dwight Dailey. There he became lead alto and jazz soloist for the university’s award-winning jazz ensemble, directed by Ron Predl. He also won the coveted “DownBeat Combo Award,” which led to three separate appearances at the Wichita Jazz Festivals.
After graduation, Wilkerson toured with the Stan Kenton Orchestra as lead alto sax and jazz soloist. After moving to Los Angeles, he began extensive work on tenor sax, receiving raves from Los Angeles Times jazz critic Leonard Feather, who proclaimed him “a ruling master of the tenor sax.” His CD with organist Joey DeFrancesco titled, A Blues Sorta Thing, validates that statement, and it has received raves throughout the world as well as heavy airplay nationwide.
Wilkerson’s baritone sax release, Shaw ‘Nuff, was featured in a major article in DownBeat magazine and was hailed by Jazz Journal International as one of the top jazz albums of the year. This album recently got rave reviews in the Saxophone Journal, an international publication devoted to the saxophone.
Wilkerson is also a much-sought-after educator, clinician and spokesperson, promoting the importance of music education in our society. At Mt. SAC, he is an annual speaker and guest performer for Black History Month programs. He has taught for the prestigious National Music Camp in Interlochen, Mich., and has twice been a guest artist for the school. He has conducted master classes for major universities across the nation, including UCLA, USC, the University of Texas at Arlington, CSU Fresno, and Morningside College in Iowa, just to name a few.
Wilkerson is currently an artist for the Selmer Corporation. In June 2005, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.