Dick Wilson (November 11, 1911 – November 24, 1941) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best known for his work with the Andy Kirk big band. Wilson was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, raised in Seattle, and went to high school in Los Angeles. He started on piano and learned saxophone in Seattle from saxophonist Joe Darensbourg. He became a member of Darensbourg's band in 1930. In 1936, he joined Andy Kirk's Clouds of Joy. Wilson was a member of Kirk's band until 1941 when he died of tuberculosis in New York City. With Mary Lou Williams and Pha Terrell, Wilson was one of the most striking musical personalities in the band. He cultivated a style that has been compared to Lester Young's because of similar characteristics in their solos. References 1941 deaths American jazz saxophonists American male saxophonists 1911 births 20th-century American saxophonists People from Mount Vernon, Illinois Jazz musicians from Illinois 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians 20th-century deaths from tuberculosis Tuberculosis deaths in New York (state)