Artist Name: Bobby Watson Artist Biography: Bobby Watson (b. 8/23/53, Lawrence, KS) is a versatile improviser on alto, capable of playing swing, hard bop, and free jazz with equal fluency. Watson graduated from the University of Miami in 1975 with a B.A. in music theory. Thereafter he moved to New York, where he joined Art Blakeyīs Jazz Messengers, becoming their musical director and joining trumpet sensation Wynton Marsalis on his first recordings. During the ī80s Watson co-led groups with Curtis Lundy (with whom he founded New Note Records) and gigged with diverse groups including Charlie Persipīs Big Band, Sam Riverīs Winds of Manhattan, and the Savoy Sultans. In the mid-80s he began to lead his own bands, recording always compelling albums for Enja, Red, Blue Note, New Note, and Columbia, among others. His most recent album, 1999īs Quiet as Itīs Kept (Red) continues his string of adventurous and intelligent releases, but 1986īs Love Remains (Red) remains a personal favorite. E-mail:   Web Site: