Results for "Bill Watrous"

Bill Watrous

Born: June 8, 1939

One of the finest bop-oriented trombonists of the past 30 years, Bill Watrous has had a low profile since moving to Los Angeles in the 1980s despite remaining quite active. Possessor of a beautiful tone and remarkable technique, Watrous has been constantly overlooked in jazz popularity polls of the past two decades. His father was a trombonist and introduced Bill to music. He played in traditional jazz bands as a teenager and studied with Herbie Nichols while in the military. Watrous made his debut with Billy Butterfield, and was one of the trombonists in Kai Winding's groups during 1962-1967. He was a busy New York-based studio musician during the 1960s, working and recording with Quincy Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Johnny Richards, and Woody Herman; playing in the television band for Merv Griffin's show (1965-1968); and working on the staff of CBS (1967-1969)

Classics from Mingus, Della Reese, Ted Curson, and others; New music from Nat Reeves, David Sanchez, Eliane Elias, and others

by David W. Daniels
June 16, 2026

In addition to the artists named in the title, this week's Exploration includes classic jazz from Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Dorham, Yusef Lateef, and others. Also, music from albums yet to be released by David Sanchez and Larry Goldings. Birthday recognition for Tina Brooks, Alex Sipiagin, Geri Allen, and others.Playlist Dominik Kisiel “Space" from Exploration ...

You're a Funny Guy

by Monk Rowe
April 10, 2026

Eddie Daniels: To Milton With Love

by Artur Moral
February 14, 2026

Even in a field as conducive to covers as jazz, it is unusual to find a complete reinterpretation of an album with all its tracks in their original order. Interestingly, 2025 has seen several releases of this type, some widely known and deservedly acclaimed, like Branford Marsalis' Belonging (Blue Note Records, 2025), which pays homage to ...

Backgrounder: Bill Watrous - In Love Again, 1967

August 10, 2024

There are trombone albums—and then there are trombone albums. This is the latter, a positively beautiful recording by Bill Watrous, who had a beautiful ballad tone, rivaled only by Urbie Green and a few others. Recorded in New York in 1968 and backed by the Richard Behrke Strings, Bill Watrous's In Love Again: William Russell Watrous ...

Late-Period Art Pepper Box Sets

by C. Michael Bailey
March 15, 2024

In his essay, “Endgame," which opens the liner notes to Art Pepper: The Complete Galaxy Recordings (Galaxy, 1989), music critic Gary Giddens said of Art Pepper's professional comeback: “Pepper's sudden reappearance in 1975 was something of a second coming in musical circles. For the next seven years, his frequent recordings and tours, and ...

Electric Chick (Europe)

By Chick Corea

Label: Verve Records
Released: 2023

Why Jazz: Part 1

by Monk Rowe
January 10, 2023

Jazz Improvisation, Part 2

by Monk Rowe
December 27, 2022

The Era I Almost Missed

by Ron Aprea
March 20, 2022

The following is an excerpt from “Section 9: Les Elgart" of The Era I Almost Missed--An Autobiography by Ron Aprea (Self Published, 2021). The Embers West / Richie Barz Still rehearsing my band and looking for a room in Manhattan, my drummer Jimmie Young hooked me up with pianist Mike Longo. Mike just finished ...