{"title":"Bobby Watson","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"bobby-watson-back-home-in-kansas-city-cd","title":"Bobby Watson - Back Home in Kansas City CD","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ciframe style=\"border: 0; width: 700px; height: 120px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bandcamp.com\/EmbeddedPlayer\/album=2892351543\/size=large\/bgcol=ffffff\/linkcol=333333\/tracklist=false\/artwork=small\/transparent=true\/\" seamless=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bobbywatsonjazz.bandcamp.com\/album\/back-home-in-kansas-city\"\u003eBack Home in Kansas City by Bobby Watson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“Bobby Watson brings the sparks on BACK HOME IN KANSAS CITY. The core KC jazz values — a swinging beat, a personal style, and an earthy, bluesy sensibility — are firmly in place on this new album.”\u003cbr\u003e\n— Kevin Whitehead, NPR’s Fresh Air\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“The constant throughout is a feel-good ensemble mix, with Bobby’s and Jeremy’s solos bringing a glow backed by Chestnut’s piano prowess. The swing and blues dedication to Kansas City is on proud display. At 69 years old, Bobby Watson is still bringing it…!!”\u003cbr\u003e\n— Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“BACK HOME IN KANSAS CITY proves that Watson’s hometown remains a fount of inspiration both historically and personally. Who better to receive its flow?”\u003cbr\u003e\n— Morgan Enos, JazzTimes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eSaxophonist\/composer Bobby Watson draws inspiration from the rich jazz heritage of his Kansas City hometown on his spirited album BACK HOME IN KANSAS CITY, which features an all-star quintet with Watson’s longtime rhythm section of bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Victor Jones along with pianist Cyrus Chestnut, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, as well as a special guest appearance by vocalist Carmen Lundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“Great melodies are immortal, like a sculpture or a painting,” Watson insists. “This album is more about the singing quality of my instrument.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eAs the title suggests, Back Home in Kansas City also pays homage to Watson’s hometown and its own rich musical heritage. The saxophonist grew up in KC, leaving to study at the University of Miami and then spending a quarter century making his name in New York City. He returned home in 2000 to serve as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music \u0026amp; Dance, retiring 20 years later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eHis retirement coinciding with the pandemic, Watson found himself with plenty of time to reflect on Kansas City’s importance to his distinctive sound and, gradually, to play for local audiences who helped attune his approach to the blend of soul and balladry that makes up the new album.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“Being out here in Kansas City has given me a chance to slow down and go deeper into what I want to play,” he explains. “The Kansas City audience is a sophisticated audience because of the history of this town. We’ve got people out here who have heard a lot of music. So I’m not playing down to the audience, and I’m not trying to simplify anything. I’m simply coming out of what I feel in my heart and my soul.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eThe title tune is a contrafact (a new melody written over existing chord changes) on “Back Home Again in Indiana,” also famously the basis for Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee.” The spirited swinger opens the album on a high note, Jones’ crisp percussion nailing every sudden stop before propelling the band forward again. It’s one of three similar Watson tunes on the album; the yearning “Bon Voyage” is based on Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage,” while the brisk “Side Steps” is Watson’s reimagining of John Coltrane’s classic (and notoriously challenging) “Giant Steps.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eWatson also drew the haunting ballad “Dear Lord” from the Coltrane songbook, one of several spotlights on the album for his burnished tone and silken melodicism. Chestnut’s achingly delicate touch sets the tone for a gorgeous version of the standard “I’m Glad There Is You,” featuring one of Watson’s most beautiful and moving solo turns. The album closes with the gritty, self-explanatory “Blues for Alto.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eWatson encouraged his bandmates to bring their own material to the session as well. Jones contributes the stealthy “Red Bank Heist,” which feels like Henry Mancini by way of Art Blakey. Chestnut’s sparkling “A Star in the East” is an easygoing waltz that thrives on the rich melody shared by Watson and Pelt. The trumpeter’s offering is the tender “Celestial,” highlighted by his own muted eloquence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eJohn Hicks’ “Mind Wine” pays tribute to the late pianist, with whom Watson, Lundy, and Jones all worked extensively. Hicks appears on Watson’s 1988 Blue Note debut, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, as well as LOVE REMAINS; while Watson and Lundy are part of the quartet for Hicks’ 1988 release NAIMA’S LOVE SONG. “John Hicks was a mighty huge influence on me, Curtis and Victor,” Watson says. “When he passed away, that was one of the saddest moments in our lives. He was extremely near and dear to us.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eThe saxophonist has long garnered inspiration from vocalists as well as his sax-playing peers and idols. He invited the acclaimed singer Carmen Lundy to join the band for “Our Love Remains,” co-written by Watson and his wife Pamela. In instrumental form, the song was the title track for his 1986 album LOVE REMAINS and was recorded again for 1992’s PRESENT TENSE. The vocal version has previously been recorded by Kevin Mahogany and Melissa Walker, and Lou Rawls was planning his own rendition prior to his death.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“I love hearing singers tell stories,” Watson says. “Joe Williams, Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Ella, Gregory Porter, Andy Bey – and Carmen does that. She’s not just singing the melody, she’s putting it out there as a story.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eThroughout BACK HOME IN KANSAS CITY, Watson’s gift for telling stories with his saxophone is on vibrant display. “Johnny Griffin told me that when you solo you want to introduce yourself, talk about how your day went, tell how you feel right now and where you want to take the listener – all through music,” he details. “I know that I have enough technique to last me the rest of my life. But what do I want to say with it? We’re all trying to play one grand solo our whole life in different contexts.”\u003cbr\u003e\ncredits\u003cbr\u003e\nreleased October 6, 2022\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eBobby Watson – alto saxophone\u003cbr\u003e\nJeremy Pelt – trumpet\u003cbr\u003e\nCyrus Chestnut – piano\u003cbr\u003e\nCurtis Lundy – bass\u003cbr\u003e\nVictor Jones – drums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eRecorded on April 5, 2022\u003cbr\u003e\nat Sear Sound Studio C, NYC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eProducers: Paul Stache and Damon Smith\u003cbr\u003e\nRecording Engineer: Owen Mulholland\u003cbr\u003e\nAssistant Engineer: Steven Sacco\u003cbr\u003e\nMixing and Mastering: Chris Allen\u003cbr\u003e\nPhotography: Diallo French\u003cbr\u003e\nDesign: Damon Smith\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eJeremy Pelt and Cyrus Chestnut appear courtesy of HighNote Records\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eBobby Watson is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays\u003cbr\u003e\nVandoren mouthpieces, reeds, and ligatures exclusively\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eExecutive Producers: Paul Stache and Molly Johnson\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Smoke Sessions Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56382099685758,"sku":"SSR-2205-CD","price":10.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/4161\/5230\/files\/SSR-2205-CD.jpg?v=1760095044"},{"product_id":"bobby-watson-keepin-it-real-cd","title":"Bobby Watson - Keepin' It Real CD","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ciframe style=\"border: 0; width: 700px; height: 120px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bandcamp.com\/EmbeddedPlayer\/album=1402367181\/size=large\/bgcol=ffffff\/linkcol=333333\/tracklist=false\/artwork=small\/transparent=true\/\" seamless=\"\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bobbywatsonjazz.bandcamp.com\/album\/keepin-it-real\"\u003eKeepin' It Real by Bobby Watson\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e8-panel Digipak Album\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“His playing is sophisticated yet soulful. He’s elegantly slippery as only a player at one with his instrument can be, stretching phrases seamlessly over nearly the entire length of a chorus and interjecting brief figures with just the right squeal to make his point.”\u003cbr\u003e\n— Howard Mandel, Downbeat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“We don’t have baseball right now, but Bobby Watson and New Horizon hits it out of the ball park on this fantastic release.”\u003cbr\u003e\n— Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“Alto saxophonist\/composer Bobby Watson debuts a new incarnation of his renowned band Horizon on KEEPIN’ IT REAL, furthering a legacy endowed by Watson’s days as one of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and passed on through a lifetime in jazz education.”\u003cbr\u003e\n— Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e“These guys make it sound so easy, but if it were, why isn’t there more music like this?”\u003cbr\u003e\n— George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e#1 JazzWeek radio chart (2 weeks)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eAlto saxophonist Bobby Watson writes a new chapter of his storied career with KEEPIN’ IT REAL. While the album is a continuation of the supple hard-bop sound Watson has practiced throughout the decades, infused with elements of gospel and R\u0026amp;B, it also heralds change as Watson debuts a new edition of his band Horizon. Dubbed New Horizon, this group still features longtime collaborator and Horizon member Curtis Lundy on bass and adds trumpeters Josh Evans and Giveton Gelin, pianist Victor Gould and drummer Victor Jones. This new personnel infuses Watson with renewed vigor and creative energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eAnother part of the story of this record is Watson’s retirement from a 20+ year collegiate teaching career. It gives Watson, who won the JAZZTIMES critic’s poll as the top alto saxophonist in 2019, his best opportunity in many years to focus exclusively on his own music. Change is an inevitable part of life and Watson embraces it as essential part of creativity. As he explains, KEEPIN’ IT REAL is a mantra that he strives to exemplify every time he lifts his alto to his lips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ereleased June 26, 2020\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eBOBBY WATSON \u0026amp; NEW HORIZON\u003cbr\u003e\nfeaturing Curtis Lundy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eBobby Watson – alto saxophone\u003cbr\u003e\nJosh Evans – trumpet (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 8 \u0026amp; 9)\u003cbr\u003e\nGiven Gellin – trumpet (tracks 2, 4 \u0026amp; 5)\u003cbr\u003e\nVictor Gould – piano\u003cbr\u003e\nCurtis Lundy – bass\u003cbr\u003e\nVictor Jones – drums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eRecorded Live on February 20, 2020 at Sear Sound Studio C, NYC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eProduced by Paul Stache \u0026amp; Damon Smith\u003cbr\u003e\nRecording, Mixing \u0026amp; Mastering Engineer: Chris Allen\u003cbr\u003e\nStudio Assistants: Owen Mulholland and Steven Sacco\u003cbr\u003e\nLiner Notes by Mark Ruffin\u003cbr\u003e\nPhotography by Jimmy and Dena Katz\u003cbr\u003e\nDesign by Damon Smith and Paul Stache\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eVictor Gould appears courtesy of Blue Room Music\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Smoke Sessions Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56382102831486,"sku":"SSR-2004-CD","price":10.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/4161\/5230\/files\/SSR-2004-CD.jpg?v=1760095113"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/4161\/5230\/collections\/SSR-2004-CD.jpg?v=1774389822","url":"https:\/\/8merch.shop\/collections\/bobby-watson.oembed","provider":"8Merch Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}