Gerald Wilson, who turned 85 on September 4, is the only major figure of the Swing Era still working. He joined Jimmie Lunceford on trumpet in 1939, and soon made his mark writing two of the most influential works of the era, "Hi Spook" and "Yard Dog Mazurka." Like Artie Shaw, the one other swing titan still breathing, he soon put away his instrument. Unlike Shaw, who left music to write books, Wilson found his forte as a bandleader, composer, and arranger. You probably wouldn't guess the duration of his career or the age... More >>>