Anthony Wilson on House of the Singing Blossoms (Live Nonet)

Guest: Anthony Wilson — guitarist, composer, bandleaderEpisode focus: Anthony’s new live double LP House of the Singing Blossoms (recorded at Sam First), the return of his nonet, and his upcoming SFJAZZ shows (Sept. 4–5; two shows nightly) in the Joe Henderson Lab.

Episode Summary

Guitarist–composer Anthony Wilson joins host Steve Roby to talk about reviving the nine-piece band that shaped his early voice and powers his new live album, House of the Singing Blossoms. Wilson digs into arranging for nonet, capturing the energy of a listening room on record, and why the album was designed for the deep, side-by-side experience of vinyl. He also previews the SFJAZZ dates, the evolving lineup, and how this music balances songful melody with fearless improvisation.

Why Listen

• Hear why the nonet remains the ideal canvas for Wilson’s writing and guitar voice.
• Get an inside look at recording live at Sam First and mastering with Bernie Grundman.
• Learn how sequencing for vinyl shaped the album’s narrative flow.
• Preview the SFJAZZ shows and how the book will evolve on stage.
• Enjoy featured tracks that frame the conversation: “House of the Singing Blossoms,” “Triple Chase,” and “Bordertown.”

Key Quotes (from Anthony Wilson)

• “The first band that I recorded with was a nine-piece band… I found that configuration compelling.”
• “I have always loved just how rich a palette, sonically, it can be to have those horns.”
• “In a club with an audience, you’re feeding off each other’s energy… You can just concentrate on the good feeling of being together.”
• “You pick that album up, put it on your turntable… side after side you have these 20-minute periods where you can become engrossed in the music.”
• “Out of the gate, it shows that what this band is about… is a commitment to serious improvising and serious playing.”

Conversation Highlights

• The nonet returns: How the ensemble’s color and agility unlock his arranging ideas—and where the guitar fits inside nine voices.
• Recording the room: Capturing two nights at Sam First to preserve interplay, momentum, and audience energy.
• Vinyl by design: Double 180-gram LPs, gatefold artwork, and a sequence that feels like stepping into the club.
• Legacy & lineage: Opening with “Triple Chase” by Gerald Wilson, nods to Joe Zawinul and Keith Jarrett, and a fresh take on Bennie Wallace’s “Bordertown.”
• SFJAZZ preview: A hybrid roster of veterans and rising players, new pieces in progress, and early nonet charts revisited with fresh ears.

Music Featured in This Episode

• “House of the Singing Blossoms” (excerpt) — from House of the Singing Blossoms
• “Triple Chase” (Gerald Wilson) — from House of the Singing Blossoms
• “Bordertown” (Bennie Wallace) — from House of the Singing Blossoms

Personnel — Sam First Recording

Anthony Wilson (guitar), CJ Camerieri (trumpet/French horn), Alan Ferber (trombone), Nicole McCabe (alto sax), Bob Reynolds (tenor sax), Henry Solomon (baritone sax), Gerald Clayton (piano), Anna Butterss (bass), Mark Ferber (drums).

Upcoming Shows

SFJAZZ — Joe Henderson LabDates: September 4–5 (two shows nightly)What to expect: Song-forward writing, expansive solos, and the punch and glow of a nine-piece band in an intimate room.

Credits

• Host/Producer: Steve Roby, Backstage Bay Area
• Guest: Anthony Wilson
• Editing/Mix: Backstage Bay Area
• Music: Excerpts courtesy of Anthony Wilson

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