Jazz Articles about Ken and Harry Watters

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Ken Watters Group: Southern Exposure

by C. Michael Bailey
May 1, 2001

Sans Brother Harry, Trumpeter Ken Watters steps out with his working quartet and burns his way through a collection of originals, standards, and some surprises.

After two recordings with trombonist brother Harry, Trumpeter Ken Watters brings his working quartet into the studio, where he produces his strongest musical statement yet. The previous Watters' offerings, Brothers (Summit 234) and Brothers II (Summit 266), made with brother Harry, revealed Ken Watters as a composer and arranger of great depth, breadth, and sense ...

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Ken and Harry Watters: Brothers II

by C. Michael Bailey
June 1, 2000

Rigorous Honesty!. Brothers II is the follow-up to brass masters Watters debut recording Brothers (Summit 234). The music performed in a word is mainstream, immediately accessible and listenable. This is not to say that the listener is not challenged...far from that. Beginning with the trumpet/trombone leadership sans reeds, this music demands the listener's attention.

The effect is stunning. The Watters brothers' ensemble playing is superfluid. The absence of reeds accentuates the flowing, pouring nature of the trumpet/trombone coupling. This attribute ...

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Ken and Harry Watters: Brothers

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

While the talented Watters brothers are the motivating force behind this generally admirable new release from Arizona–based Summit Records, it is the enterprising rhythm section that almost steals the show, with pianist Werner a particular standout on track after track. Not that the brothers don’t declaim with authority; they do — especially on their respective features (trombonist Harry on “Getting Sentimental” and “Trinidad,” trumpeter Ken on “Sentimental Mood”). But their voices are somewhat dampened by the recording mix, whose excessive ...