Tony Wilson

Tony Wilson is a Canadian jazz guitarist based in Vancouver whose innovative approach to the instrument has earned him recognition as unquestionably one of the most original guitar stylists on the Canadian scene. Tony began his musical studies in 1981 at Malaspina College in Nanaimo, where he studied composition with Pat Carpenter. He took private guitar instruction from Oliver Gannon and at the Banff School for the Arts he studied with Dave Holland, John Abercrombie, Kevin Eubanks, Steve Coleman and Muhal Richard Abrams. Tony studied composition privately with multi-instrumentalist Vinny Golia and composer Giorgio Magnanensi. After moving to Vancouver in 1987, he performed and wrote music for the sextet Video Barbeque which won a West Coast Music Award for its CD Maximillism. In 1990, he formed the Tony Wilson Sextet which performs original compositions as well as arrangements of the works of jazz luminaries such as Don Cherry, Sun Ra, Captain Beefheart and Duke Ellington. Coastal Jazz and Blues hails him as unquestionably one of the most original guitar stylists on the Canadian scene. Downbeat magazine once called Wilson a talismanic West Coast musical figure. His group Video Barbeque won a West Coast Music Award for their CD Maximillism. Wilson is known for his work in Vancouver's jazz and improvised music scene and has remained active performing with various ensembles throughout his career. Tony Wilson's fearless improvisation, unique tonal palette, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz guitar have made him a vital force in Vancouver's creative music community.

Website