The archetypal big-toned Texas tenor of Don Wilkerson was unfortunately not documented on record as much as the quality of his music deserved; he was an excellent, earthy soul-jazz saxophonist capable of playing blues, ballads, bop, swing, and gospel-tinged RB. Wilkerson was born in Moreauville, LA, in 1932, and first learned the alto sax; by his teens, he had moved to Houston and was accomplished enough on tenor to play with RB outfits headed by Amos Milburn and Charles Brown. Wilkerson played on some of Ray Charles' earliest recording sessions in the mid-'50s, taking memorable solos on classics like I Got a Woman, This Little Girl of Mine, and Hallelujah I Love Her So. He also led a band in Miami for a short time, and participated in numerous jam sessions with Cannonball Adderley. Adderley produced Wilkerson's first recording session, a 1960 date for Riverside titled The Texas Twister. After another short stint with Charles, he signed with Blue Note and recorded three stellar, soulful albums over 1962-1963: Elder Don, Preach, Brother!, and Shoutin', all of which featured Grant Green on guitar. Unfortunately, none was very successful, and Wilkerson didn't record any further as a leader. He remained in Houston for most of his life and passed away on July 18, 1986. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi