Later picking up tenor saxophone, Wilson played in the Central High School band and began performing locally as a leader of small combos.

Touring with a rock 'n' roll band, he wound up in Columbus, Ohio, connecting with the then unknown Nancy Wilson and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

After a year in Columbus, Wilson moved to Atlantic City, leading the house band at the Cotton Club, now adding organ to his musical arsenal.

Frequently in and out of the studio for recording, film and television work, he did stints with Sammy Davis Jr., Sarah Vaughan, Lou Rawls, Eartha Kitt, Julie London, as well as Sonny & Cher.

Jack Wilson was part of the Ike Isaacs Trio and is a strong presence on several of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross recordings including Sing Ellington.

Wilson's final recording session (for the Japanese DIW label), simply titled In New York, took place on June 4, 1993 and featured drummer Jimmy Cobb.