MoreWatts
Major Contributor
Today’s 2fer 2sday features 2 albums from 2 saxophonists who are 2 decade-plus alumni of the Johnny Carson/Doc Severinsen/Tommy Newsom/NBC Tonight Show Band, of USA late-night TV fame. If you haven’t heard of these guys, there’s still a good chance you’ve heard these guys.
Ernie Watts is a multi-saxophonist with ~24 album releases and 100s of session credits. He: was Marvin Gaye’s featured soloist in the 1970s, with 2 Grammy winners; played on Slow Dancer, Countdown To Ecstasy, 'Roots', 'Grease' and 'The Color Purple'; is heard in the TV show ‘Night Court’ theme; and toured in an oldies act called The Rolling Stones.
He started Dolphin Records in 2000, and has released ~10 albums, with an established quartet. A nice example is Oasis, from 2011. AllAboutJazz: “With Oasis Watts confirms—as if confirmation were needed—that he is one of the greatest living tenor saxophonists at the top of his game. A joy from start to finish.”
The video is Ernie blowin’ some hot ‘Bebop’ from 2014.
Ernie Watts, Oasis, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.
Pete Christlieb was touted in a previous Twofer Tuesday upthread here, where it was mentioned he often played in big bands. A recent example is The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra’s 2014 album A Beautiful Friendship, with Bill Watrous on trombone and Carl Saunders on trumpet. AllAboutJazz: “While heaping praise on the soloists, one should not lose sight of the fact that this is a world-class ensemble with superb craftsmen in every chair. Together they make A Beautiful Friendship one of the more impressive big-band albums in recent memory.”
Please enjoy 2 albums from 2 of my favorite jazz artists on this 2fer 2sday.
The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra, A Beautiful Friendship, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.
Ernie Watts is a multi-saxophonist with ~24 album releases and 100s of session credits. He: was Marvin Gaye’s featured soloist in the 1970s, with 2 Grammy winners; played on Slow Dancer, Countdown To Ecstasy, 'Roots', 'Grease' and 'The Color Purple'; is heard in the TV show ‘Night Court’ theme; and toured in an oldies act called The Rolling Stones.
He started Dolphin Records in 2000, and has released ~10 albums, with an established quartet. A nice example is Oasis, from 2011. AllAboutJazz: “With Oasis Watts confirms—as if confirmation were needed—that he is one of the greatest living tenor saxophonists at the top of his game. A joy from start to finish.”
The video is Ernie blowin’ some hot ‘Bebop’ from 2014.
Ernie Watts, Oasis, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.
Pete Christlieb was touted in a previous Twofer Tuesday upthread here, where it was mentioned he often played in big bands. A recent example is The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra’s 2014 album A Beautiful Friendship, with Bill Watrous on trombone and Carl Saunders on trumpet. AllAboutJazz: “While heaping praise on the soloists, one should not lose sight of the fact that this is a world-class ensemble with superb craftsmen in every chair. Together they make A Beautiful Friendship one of the more impressive big-band albums in recent memory.”
Please enjoy 2 albums from 2 of my favorite jazz artists on this 2fer 2sday.
The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra, A Beautiful Friendship, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.
) and pianist Arturo O'Farrill. Mossman has been active in NYC since 1980, and has led 4 albums. This is pretty classic Barretto Latin bop. Please enjoy. 
