music.wikisort.org - Singer

Orlandus Wilson (August 27, 1917 in Chesapeake, Virginia – December 30, 1998 in Paris) was one of the longest standing members of the Golden Gate Quartet and the group's bass singer.[1][2]

He joined the Golden Gate Jubilee Singers in 1934 and only announced his retirement from the quartet in October 1998. Apart from a forced break in 1944 when he was drafted and temporarily replaced by William Langford, Wilson supplied the basis for the quartet. Wilson managed the formation, and supplied a majority of the arrangements and some compositions.[3][4][5][6] His rhythmic feel has been said to be essential to the group's "jump, glide, bounce and swing".[7]

Personal life

With his wife, Gun, Wilson had a son. He relocated to Paris, along with the rest of the group, in 1958, and died there in 1998. He remained an active performer almost until his death.[3]

References

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