A highly influential but criminally uncelebrated exponent of the Chicago Jazz scene between the depression and bebop era, Sweats Wilson is the missing link between jazz and traditional ska. As a saxophonist and vocalist, Sweats utilised an unorthodox sense of economy that was a precursor to early rock'n'roll.

Sweats Wilson (real name: Rutherford Bray Wilson) was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1883. The subtle West Indian influence on his style is hardly surprising as he spent his early childhood in Jamaica before the Wilson family emigrated to America. His father, Linton Wilson, worked as casual labourer throughout the Southern states - forcing a transient existence on the family before opting to settle in Chicago. Whilst the Wilson's constant moving created a defined sense of rootlessness in the young Rutherford, it also gave him the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of musical disciplines. These included bluegrass, gospel and blues. This created a diverse sonic pallette from which Sweats created his skewed vision of jazz.

Below is a remastered version of Sweats Wilson's first foray into the jazz mainstream entitled "I've got the horn now" which was released on Chicago's Blue Street label in 1948.

I've got the horn now

(c) 1948 r.b.wilson/sweaty publishing. Originally released on the record "52nd Street - 52nd Time" (Blue Street Records)

Featuring Barnaby Withers (the big man with the big sound) on guitar, below is remastered version of Sweats Wilson's "Sweet Georgia" which was released on Chicago's Blue Street label in 1950.

Sweet Georgia

(c) 1950 r.b.wilson/sweaty publishing. Originally released on the record "Sweating it out" (Blue Street Records)

As the masters of the original monophonic recordings above are sadly no longer in existence, the versions featured here have been digitally remastered from rare vinyl copies.