Event
Bobby Watson
All That Jazz
with the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra
Bobby Watson, saxophone
Luciano Morello, founding producer
Lew Del Gatto, artistic director, tenor saxophone
James Suggs, trumpet
Mike Harvey, drums
Kevin Mauldin, bass
Jerry Stawski, co-bandleader, vocals, piano
Multi-Grammy-nominated alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Bobby Watson joins the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra for an intimate program in Daniels Pavilion that honors jazz tradition while showcasing his blues- and gospel-inflected approach to modern hard bop. A former longtime musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Watson has played a direct role in developing the sound of contemporary jazz for decades, drawing on his Kansas City roots and the polished, high-energy style often associated with the region.
Bobby Watson
Bobby Watson
Bobby Watson sits among the pantheon of present-day jazz greats. Born in Lawrence, Kansas, his career now spans more than four decades. A multi-Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator and producer, Watson trained formally at the University of Miami and then, from 1977 to 1981, earned his “doctorate” as musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. During his four-plus years with the legendary drummer, the saxophonist contributed to 14 Jazz Messengers recordings—more than anyone else in the group’s 35-year (1955-90) storied history.
In addition to Blakey, the saxophonist also worked with notable jazz icons and elder statesmen such as Max Roach, Louis Hayes, George Coleman and Sam Rivers, as well as sharing music experiences with innumerable noteworthy peers and colleagues like legendary vocalists such as Lou Rawls, Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves and Carmen Lundy. Later, Watson launched the first edition of what would become one of his key calling cards: Horizon, the acoustic quintet he modeled after the Jazz Messengers with a modern twist.
In addition to his work with Horizon, Watson also led the nine-piece group the High Court of Swing; the Grammy-nominated, 16-piece large ensemble Tailor Made Big Band; and was a founding member of the well-respected 29th Street Saxophone Quartet, an all-horn, four-piece ensemble.
