Born in Oklahoma, near Bristow, Wilson's parents were farmers. "We kids would get up in the morning, kill a rabbit, and bring it to my mother. Then we'd bring the cows in, milk them, and by then breakfast would be ready. We'd have rabbit, rice and biscuits," he said.

"Music is a healing force," said Mr. Wilson, as he stood waiting to perform at the second floor theatre of the Greenwich Music School on Sunday night, September 30, for a tribute to Greenwich Village firemen who died at the World Trade Center attack. The event was organized by jazz pianist Fiona Bicket and the singer Zoe.

"Joe Lee," as he is affectionately known, had come to New York to promote his new CD, "Feelin' Good," (Candidrecords.com) just before September 11th. That night he sang "Goin' Home," "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," "Jazz Ain't Nothin' But Soul," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," with his beautiful baritone voice sculpting sounds like a horn player, beating riffs out like a drum.

MEET JOE LEE WILSON By Lionelle Hamanaka