Buster Wilson

Who was Buster Wilson?

Albert Wesley "Buster" Wilson was an American jazz pianist.

Wilson was born in Atlanta but grew up in Los Angeles. He was the replacement for Lil Hardin in King Oliver's band in 1921 during its engagement at the Wayside Park. In 1922 he played with Dink Johnson's Five Hounds of Jazz, then with the Charlie Lawrence-led Sunnyland Jazz Orchestra from 1923 to 1926. Following this he played with Mutt Carey, Jimmie Noone, Curtis Mosby, Paul Howard, Lionel Hampton, and Les Hite. He played with Jelly Roll Morton in 1941 for rehearsals. From 1944 to 1948 he played with Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band. Failing health led him to quit Ory's group, and he died of pneumonia in 1949.

Record label American Music released a collection of his recordings from 1947-49 in 1996.