For those unaware, “The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant” is a powerful journey through adversity. The Sleeping Giant reflects Ron Wilkins’ harrowing battle with COVID, spending over a month in a coma on a ventilator before returning stronger than ever, performing on tenor and bass trombone, tuba, and vocals at a profoundly virtuosic level. His compositions offer a rare, firsthand perspective on survival.

The Vigil, led by his partner Rebecca Patterson (bass trombone/tuba), presents the contrasting viewpoint from the outside looking in. Drawing on an expansive palette, from bansuri and French horn to tuba and EWI, the album breaks from the traditional big band sound. No matter where the music leads, one thing remains constant: it grooves and leaves lasting earworms.

1. Covid Suite I. Big City Livin’ (8:56)
2. Covid Suite II. Comatose Dreams and Nightmares (7:39)
3. Covid Suite III. Awaken and Alleluia (5:35)
4. Covid Suite IV. The Sleeper Has Awakened (10:44)
5. Sulk City (7:21)
6. Near East (6:51)
7. Waltz Someday (6:29)
8. Like A Brother (7:55)

This musical work of art begins with a four-movement suite composed by Ron entitled the Covid Suite: The first part is the breezy Big City Livin’, the second part the frenetically controlled Comatose Dreams and Nightmares, then the third part is the sweepingly elegant Awaken and Alleluia, coming to a close on the soulfully grooved The Sleeper Has Awakened.

Along next is the ambiently emotive Sulk City and that is in turn backed seamlessly by the highly impassioned Near East, the set rounding out on the gentle dancefloor swirls and twirls of Waltz Someday, coming to a close on the luxuriant Like A Brother.

Ron Wilkins is a New York City–based low-brass multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and bandleader with over four decades of international performing experience. He is a member of the Birdland Big Band and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, and co-leads the Trombocalist Big Band with Rebecca Patterson, featuring their original music and many of New York’s premier jazz musicians. Ron has toured worldwide with leading artists, held chairs on the hit Broadway shows Gypsy and Funny Girl, released four albums as a leader, and remains a sought-after soloist, clinician, and educator.

Rebecca Patterson is a New York–based low-brass multi-instrumentalist performing on tenor and bass trombone and tuba. A sought-after jazz orchestral musician, she has performed with the Christian McBride Big Band, Mingus Big Band, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, Ron Carter Big Band, and 8-bit Big Band. Her Broadway credits include Smash, Sweeney Todd, and Tammy Faye, and she has been bass trombonist for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for three consecutive seasons. Rebecca co-leads the Trombocalist Big Band with Ron Wilkins and is an active educator.

www.RebeccaPattersonMusic.com

www.RonWilkins.com