Reggie
Watkins One for Miles One for Maynard If there was a lesson trombonist Reggie
Watkins learned from both Maynard Ferguson and Miles Davis, it was that jazz
can -- and should -- go anywhere it wants, stylistically. On his infectious new
album, One for Miles, One for Maynard -- his second as a leader and first since
2004 -- Watkins and his band offer deep bop grooves, soulful vigor, and
sparkling interplay. The CD will be released by Corona Music on August 26.
Produced
by the trombonist and recorded in the historic Heid Studio in Pittsburgh, where
Watkins has been based since the mid-'90s, the recording features a cast of
terrific and versatile players from the area including the rhythm section of
pianist Howard Alexander III of the Afro American Music Institute, double
bassist Jeff Grubbs of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and drummer David
Throckmorton, a "monster" player, says Watkins, whose father Bob
drummed with singer Buddy Greco, among others.
Those
names, plus those of trumpeter Ian Gordon, lead trumpeter Steve Hawk, and
saxophonist Rick Matt, may not be familiar to people in other cities. But
they're all highly regarded players -- as is Brooklyn wild card Matt Parker,
who, like Watkins, Throckmorton, and Matt, is an alumnus of Maynard Ferguson's
Big Bop Nouveau.
"Maynard
had a wave of Pittsburgh musicians in his band," says Watkins. "He'd
come through town and, based on recommendations, snap people up. That band
worked nine months out of the year and played a million gigs. I got so much out
of it."
The
"one" for Miles, "Shhh," from In a Silent Way, is played in
"a relaxed, thoughtful mode," while Ferguson's "Chala
Nata," from his 1970 M.F. Horn album, is updated with scratch effects,
samples, and funky groove. Three originals by the leader, two from saxophonist
Parker, and one by McCoy Tyner ("Contemplation") round out the
program.
Reggie
Watkins was born on August 24, 1971 in Wheeling, West Virginia. He played
trumpet and tuba in high school before switching to valve trombone, then
eventually slide trombone. It was as a music major at West Virginia University
that he was first exposed to the playing of 'bone legend J.J. Johnson.
"From
the first moment I heard him solo, my life was changed," he said.
"J.J.'s melodic concept, the clarity of his tone, just the image of him
playing got to me. As dazzled as I was by his speed, it was those other things
that mattered the most."
In
Pittsburgh, Watkins was influenced by Roger Humphries, the local legend known
for playing with Horace Silver on such classic albums as Song for My Father.
Watkins became involved in various bands and gained a reputation for his
strong, groove-minded playing.
In 1999,
Watkins became Maynard Ferguson's trombonist, music director, and arranger. He
is featured as a trombonist and arranger on Swingin' for Schuur, the 2001 album
the trumpeter made with singer Diane Schuur.
Reggie Watkins In 2003, Watkins performed at
the 16th annual Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Competition -- the only one
dedicated to the trombone. He didn't win -- that honor went to Andre Heyward of
the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. But he was thrilled to have been chosen as
one of 11 semi-finalists by trombone greats Conrad Herwig and Eddie Bert and to
perform with the all-star rhythm section of Eric Reed, Robert Hurst, and Carl
Allen. "I also got to perform in front of my idols," he said.
"It was an amazing experience."
The next
year, Watkins recorded his first album, A-List, which was part of the Maynard
Ferguson Presents series. The recording featured his compositions and
arrangements.
Watkins
played with pop artist Jason Mraz ("I'm Yours") from 2008 to 2013 as
part of The Grooveline Horns, an Austin, Texas-based pop and funk horn section
that prides itself on being able to play anything from Engelbert Humperdinck to
the Beastie Boys. He values his experience with Mraz as much as any in his
career.
"I'm
into all parts of music, everything," says Watkins, who lived in Austin
during most of his association with Mraz. "There's nothing I'm adamantly
against. It was refreshing to gain perspective, going back and forth from jazz
bands to Jason. I found out that I really loved section work. And Grooveline is
a great section to work in."
Watkins
is planning two shows to mark the release of One for Miles, One for Maynard.
He'll be performing with his quartet (including Howard Alexander III, piano,
and David Throckmorton, drums) at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, 9/25,
and James Street Gastropub, Pittsburgh, 9/27.
"It
was important for me on this record to represent honestly not just my
influences but also my own voice and where I've been," says Watkins.
