Bobby Watson
Robert " Bobby" Watson ( born August 23, 1953 in Lawrence, Kansas ) is an American post-bop alto saxophonist, composer, producer and high school teachers.
Life and work
Bobby Watson comes from a musical family and grew up in Kansas City. His mother taught him to play the piano, his father the clarinet and saxophone. First experiences he gained in gospel bands and rhythm and blues formations.
Watson studied at the University of Miami. After graduating in 1975 he went to New York City and began his musical career in formations around Curtis Fuller. From 1977-1981 he worked as musical director of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. After this time, Watson worked with Max Roach, Louis Hayes, George Coleman, Branford Marsalis, Sam Rivers, Wynton Marsalis and Charlie Persips Super band and as a companion for singers like Joe Williams, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls, Betty Carter, and Carmen Lundy.
Modeled after the Messengers Watson founded with bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Victor Lewis, the formation of Horizon. The quintet recorded several albums for Blue Note Records and Columbia Records. In addition to his work with Horizon, he led a big band called Taylor Made ( the eponymous album was intended as a tribute to the music of Johnny Hodges ). From 1985, Watson played in the 29th Street Saxophone Quartet, along with the alto saxophonist Ed Jackson, tenor saxophonist Rich Rothenberg, and baritone saxophonist Jim Hartog. In 1990 he founded with percussionist Ray Mantilla the band The Jazz Tribe. 2007 Watson appeared in the Formation The Leaders with Chico Freeman and Buster Williams.
Watson taught saxophone at the William Paterson University from 1985 to 1986 and at the Manhattan School of Music in 1996 to 1999. He also works at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in the annual with "Jazz in America" High School program. Since 2000, Watson is head of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
Watson recorded as a sideman with Art Blakey, Sam Rivers, George Coleman, Lou Rawls, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Carmen Lundy, Bob Belden, John Hicks, Joe Williams and Wynton Marsalis boards throughout his career.
Auswahldiskographie
- The Inventor ( Blue Note, 1989)
- Post- Motown Bop ( Blue Note, 1990)
- The Jazz Tribe ( Red, 1990)
- The Next Step ( Red, 1999)
- The Real Deal ( New Note, 1987) with Ed Jackson, Rich Rothenberg, Jim Hartog
- Underground ( Antilles, 1991) in addition with Hugh Masekela, Benny Green, Curtis Lundy, Victor Lewis
- Milano New York Bridge ( Red, 1993)
- Taylor Made (Columbia ) with Steve Turre, Robin Eubanks, Jon Faddis
Literature / Sources
- Martin Kunzler: Jazz Encyclopedia. Rowohlt, Reinbek 1993
- Richard Cook, Brian Morton: The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. 6th edition, Penguin, London, 2002. ISBN 0-14-017949-6