Wilbert Longmire – born in Mobile, Alabama in 1940 – was an acclaimed jazz guitarist. He first came to national prominence when he signed to jazz keyboardist Bob James’ Tappan Zee label in the late 1970s. Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a child he studied the violin but eventually took up the guitar. He played in several bands in the early 1960s, and by the time he was 23, he was playing in Hammond organ player Hank Marr’s group. He also performed with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based organist Trudy Pitts. Towards the end of the 1960s, he did studio sessions with French violinist Jean-Luc Ponty before recording his debut album, Revolution, in 1969. His next two solo releases – The Way We Were (1975) and This Side of Heaven (1976) – were released on independent labels. Wilbert Longmire was friends with fellow guitarist and jazz icon George Benson, who recommended him to jazz pianist Bob James, who was looking for acts to sign to his Tappan Zee label. Wilbert Longmire signed to the label and released Sunny Side Up in 1978. The album was followed by Champagne (1979) and With All My Love (1980). Wilbert Longmire dropped out of the limelight after the release of With All My Love, although he did appear occasionally on other artists releases including a 1985 single on the Streetwave label. Wilbert Longmire died on January 3, 2018, at the age of 77.
