Bill Watrous Space Available

[rockin3b]

Young lions on sax-- all destined to be LA's greatest

[themightyquinn94]

Haha at 3:54 he's finishing this amazing solo and the crowd looks so bored. What's their problem?

[rockin3b]

@themightyquinn94

stoned

[josmart2010]

Soy nuevo en esto del internet, y le doy gracias a la vida de permitirme escuchar a el gran Bill watros, lo admiro desde que era niño.

soy musico pianista MEXICANO, gracias brian y gracias a la vida porque existe el YOUTUBE.

[jmsagro]

I think that Trombone players haven't surfaced to the top is because Mr. Watrous' equal has yet to appear.

[TheTimewiz14]

This song is awesome. The 3 people on youtube that saw this and thumbed it down have no taste.

[TECUnicorn]

And then Bill Watrous stops mid solo and starts sing "BERRIES AND CREAM. BERRIES AND CREAM." (Love this video. Bill is as amazing as ever. I can't wait to play this in my band.)

[thesocietysuicide]

the beginning almost killed me! haha besides that this was awesome

[bloodwolf729]

This man may very well be the greatest trombone player EVAR!!!

[TheMadboy310]

Wonderful hairstyles...

[EAR47]

Great song, great players, but terrible haircuts! : )

[ffff4837]

Who is the tenor that did that solo?

[Hettbone1]

@ffff4837 looks/sounds like Gordon Goodwin. 

[ReedmanPhil]

@ffff4837 Definitely Gordon Goodwin

[bjwnavigator]

Ahhhhh I wish I was that amazing!!! I wish I had that sound!!

[andrehu83]

maestro soy tombonista quiciera algun dia conocerlo . me parec que usted es el mejor trombonista de lmundo

[luigianguiani]

@andrehu83 Tienes toda la razón, Mr. Bill Watrous es el mejor trombonísta de jazz de todos los tiempos.

[pedrosteve]

@luigianguiani Me gustarìa saber porque dices que es el mejor trombonista de jazz de todos los tiempos....

[luigianguiani]

@pedrosteve Con gusto. Ningún trombónista ha alcanzado el nivel de perfección técnica como Bill Watrous, Sonido de grán belleza, dominio de los diferenres registros; notas pedal, bajo, medio, alto y muy alto, revolucionó el DOODLE de Carl Fontana, desarrollo la articulación natural de labios o Fretting utilizada por Wille Dennis y Frank Rossolino, extraordinaria fluidés al tocar tanto baladas como Bebop ejerciendo una precion mínima,control del aire,grán flexibilidad y resistencia. DTB

[pedrosteve]

@luigianguiani entiendo, claro Watrous tecnicamente es increible! no cabe duda, pero personalmente creo que la tecnica no es todo, de acuedo a lo que tu dices entonces Arturo Sandoval seria mejor que Miles Davis!!

Para mi tocar rapidisimo y agudo no es todo.. yo creo que la musica no es como el futbol donde puedes crear un ranking para decir quien es el mejor, sobretodo en el jazz...

[pedrosteve]

@luigianguiani Existen muchos trombonistas en este mundo que no tienen nada que envidiar a la tecnica de Watrous : Slide Hampton, Elliot Mason, Hal Crook, Conrad Herwig, Marshall Gilkes, Michael Dease y muchisimos que no son famosos. Seguramente Watrous es tu preferido, pero eso no quiere decir que sea el mejor para todos. Bye!

[modibolegrand]

Shat in my pants in Bill's pickup omg best pickup ever lol

[ObjectManipulator55]

@modibolegrand the god of trombone

[milesosland]

nice hair, Gordon (Goodwin) on tenor

[vivreback]

Who's the sax guy? A genuine jazz cat!

[kase902]

@vivreback I think it's Gordon Goodwin, not sure though

[luigianguiani]

GRACIAS MAESTRO POR SER PARTE DE MI INSPIRACIÓN

[yankeewolf1111]

What album was this from?



[luigianguiani]

@yankeewolf1111 SPACE AVAILABLE ALBUM

[theprivateer83]

Crazy sax lines! Holy shit! lol... 4:20

[logansGT]

Tight!

[dowork2121]

Is this the same band that peformed Tiger of San Pedro??

[blarg4847]

@dowork2121 yep

[luigianguiani]

Mr. Bill Watrous es el mejor trombonista de jazz de todos los tiempos.

[sktyler1]

Here's the whole lineup:

Saxes: Bob Sheppard, Jack Irby (altos), Gordon Goodwin, Dan Higgins (tenors), Greg Huckins (bari)

Trumpets: Dennis Farias, Frank Szabo, Larry Lunetta, Ron Stout

Trombones: Steve Holtman, Doug Inman, Brien Matson, Rich Bullock

Piano: Jim Cox

Bass: Dave Stone

Drums: Chad Wackerman

Percussion: Dave Levine

[RichBassBone]

Is that you, Tylerig....my old HJ roomie?

[badbassjd]

Rhythm section kills! Anybody know who's on bass & drums?

[MilkBoyofAH]

Hah wow I didn't even realize Goodwin was in this band, never knew what he looked like that young but that's awesome. I liked his solo a lot even before I knew it was him. This only makes it even more awesome.

[digitaltrombone]

Who´s playing in the band? Anyone know? Like how light and easy BIlls playing sounds! But what is that dance called that he´s doing at 4:54? :-)

[sktyler]

The tenor sax soloist is Gordon Goodwin. (about 26 years old at the time) You might have heard of him...

[scrabalabadingdong63]

His son goes to my school.

[sliderman7]

This sequence is based on "Blues Me Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me...

[allnwbone]

playing notes in first position is just bending the notes, lowering your jaw and opening up your mouth. i haven't practiced it to much but i can play a low e in first, lol need to practice technique more other than sheet music. but damn i wish i could play as smooth as this guy. also another mad skillz bone player is Michael Nelson of the hornheads look up his "jazz ballad for trombone" its sick

[McDutchy]

It's also the fact he's up in the range of the instrument where every note can be found between first and a sharp 3rd position. It's possible to play a Bb scale from high Bb to double Bb without leaving first position (except to tune a couple of notes, and even then you don't really get to second).

[luigianguiani]

Uno de los mejores solos ejecutados por mi maestro Mr. Bill Watrous."SIMPLEMENTE EXTRAORDINARIO"

[eaglerat1]

i love bill's solos but the saxo solo was also great.

fantastic playing!

[luigianguiani]

Es un trombon tenor vincent bach stradivarius LT16M y boquilla Bach11c Bill Watrous es el mejor trombonista del mundo exponente del sistema "The Louis Maggio Sistem for Brass"

[cdstingj]

Just to solve it all.

It's a Bach 7 ....not c....Just a straight 7.....always has been.

[genehilbert]

Bill is a non pressure player. If you are a brass player you know to create a note you apply pressure to the mouth piece and vibrate your lips. More relaxed for lower notes and tighter for higher ones. Bill uses his armature (lips muscles) to do it instead. You could hang a trombone in front of him and he could still do it. I tried to copy this technique but I had been playing traditionally so long I just couldn't change my approach.

[genehilbert]

Bill was a monster, I attended a Watrous clinic at JMU years ago. Bill could do a chromatic scale in 1st position. Just smokin'.........

[OyonTheAdept]

What?! In just one position?! How???

[lati2003]

Can you explain your point in more detail? I play trombone, but I've never heard about anything like that before.

[genehilbert]

He is using his armature (lips & lower facial muscles) to create the notes - like I said I'd played traditionally so I was never able to do it. It's a very uniquely Bill technique, he's the only one that I have ever heard of that could do it. Even the other Greats, Kai Winding, Urbie Green, J.J. Johnson, Fred Wesley, Howard Akers were pressure players.

[genehilbert]

Treat yourself sometime, there is a album (yes album) I don't even know if was ever released on CD called "21 Trombones" by Urbie Green, it's an amazing assortment of big band standards. 20 of the worlds greatest trbn players and a rhythm section fronted by Green.

[thel0ne0ne]

Uh... I think you mean embouchure. Armature has to do with electrical engineering. And everybody has to use their embouchure. you can't play without it

[genehilbert]

Yes you are correct, I meant "embouchure". Sorry for the wrong word usage and any confusion it caused. Yes you have to use your embouchure to play, however Bill had an atypical technique to the instrument.

[skaterpacman6745]

Now he plays on a bach 7c, but in this recording he might be using an 11c even.

[tracemander]

Does anyone know what kind of mouthpiece Bill uses? It's something I've been wondering for the past few weeks but I haven't been able to figure it out.

[fullyflared96]

this is a reply to tracemander

well, if your wondering what kind he's using currently its a bach. im not sure specifically wat kind tho. sorry

if ur wondering how i know, he came to talk and play to my high school jazz band. He was simply AMAZING, and that's saying something seeing as how i dont even play trombone (im a bassist). It was such an honor.

Oh, and im not sure if this is important, but i noticed right now he looks a LOT like johnny ramone. The hair is the exact same. haha

[mariolugolugo]

is a Bach LT16M Model

[trombonist2526]

Im pretty sure its either a Bach 6 1/2 AL or a 6 3/4 C.

[CloudStrife5671]

I was under the impression that it's a Mt. Vernon 7C.

[caponsacchi]

What an outrage that a player like Watrous isn't recorded and his albums aren't even reissued. Once trombone players were the two most popular musical stars in America (#1 Glenn Miller; #2 Tommy Dorsey). Now you gotta play sea-shells to be noticed as a trombonist (unless you're as lucky as Curtis Fuller). I hear calls for the importance of kids to learn about the stock market! Not until they learn about Teagarden, Lawrence Brown, and J.J.

[Owunthrizzel]

Thats just part of being a trombone player these days in the jazz world. Bebop kinda phased us out even though cats like Fontana and JJ brought it back, it wasnt the same and its our every trombonist's job to bring it back to the way it was.

[xDiArtsx]

@caponsacchi Yeah man so true, I think its because a lot of people are discouraged because its hard to play fast bebop lines on trombone unless you are someone like Watrous or Rosolino... so people feel discouraged to play it. I mean I honestly hear players like John Allred and wonder why he isn't topping the charts. (Btw Im guessing you are referring to Steve Turre on the seashell thing?)

[douglasgorney]

@caponsacchi Hellz yeah!

[Milewskige]

@caponsacchi Search Amazon for Bill Watrous and you will find a bunch of CDs. Around 15 - 20 different albums!

[amcsdmi]

@caponsacchi Gotta play sea-shells? Are you seriously trying to say that Steve Turre's playing doesn't stand on it's own? Lucky as Curtis Fuller? Curtis Fuller is well known because he can PLAY.

There is so little luck involved in jazz. If you can really play and aren't a complete social reject, people will notice and try to work with you. It's as simple as that.

[KingQuixote7]

How can you be that good!? :P

[really12345]

Check out, if you have'nt already: Conrad Herwig; Wycliffe Gordon; Elliot Mason.

[luigianguiani]

the best of de world

[oober349]

the playing is fine, but is this a jazz band or a basketball camp?

[slydewinder]

I know what you mean, I've seen a lot of directors jump around like that. I guess

since Jazz players seldom watch a director, they must feel that they should be doing something, so they jump around.

[oober349]

I meant because they are all wearing those gay blue shirts

[slydewinder]

oh...well that also

[jamietrhcp17]

This song very neatly packages everything that is snazzy into 5 minutes and 17 seconds.

[trombonelover5]

Bill Watrous is the man!!

[Dirtbike778]

i think i just peed a little cuz of the greatness!!!

[hendrix329]

amazing

[ecp2014]

The solo entrance at 2:20 is one of the best things I've ever heard - not just Bill's soloing, but the whole band. So powerful!

[Jknessmic]

That is crazy!!

[dandiacal]

It is really wierd how much the early 80s look like the 70s still. If you asked me to guess the year, I would have said 1978. lol. The arrangement, however is beautiful and timeless, like Thad Jones.

[dandiacal]

Who is the arranger? Is it Don Menza?

[brian740]

Tom Kubis is the arranger

[dandiacal]

Its really weird how much the early 80s still look like the 70s. If you had asked me the year of this I would have guesed 1978! This big band arrangement, however, is timeless and beautiful.

[RichBassBone]

This was filmed in June 1981.

[werehavinaparty]

In 1975, I had the amazing pleasure to have Bill work with us in high school. Although he was a little "weird", I chalked that up to being a professional musician (and probably on a few drugs). That being said, he was a gentleman. And.....what an amazing performer! His range is crazy. It was embarrassing for some of the trumpet players that couldn't hit higher notes than Bill did on his trombone. There are very few trombonists more memorable than Watrous. Bri, thanks for the post.

[BlackZ123]

The guys all look like Randy Marsh from south park

[xxxBeaNZerxxx]

Especially the guy at 4:10. LOL

[b1ackb1ack]

motivating

[marcialflores]

es muy dulce, muy vulgar, lástima que en la escuela clásica nonos enseñaran a todos a tocar de esa forma también, la diferencia es que solo los genios tienen ese poder de hablar con el trombón.............

[user405471]

Is that Charley Davis at 2:07?

[brian740]

No, thats Frank Szabo playing lead trumpet.

[ogservice]

Bill Watrous is to trombome playing what Eddie Van Halen did to the guitar: for every one inspired to practice at least 1000 said "to hell with it, why bother?" I saw Watrous with a bunch of fellow 'bone players at Spoleto in 1977 and walked away thinking, "is it even possible to PRETEND I could ever do that?" I still practiced and still do today but I've never even came close.

And then this damned LINDBERG fellow came along and just ruined everything!!!

[lati2003]

Amen brother

[sedryer]

Good lord these guys sound so, er, white, I suppose, for lack of a better word. It must be the hair. Or something.

[marftrogdor]

wow. you're right.

[vegasprowriter]

Wow, what a prejudicial statement..."these guys sound so white"!!!

[freudandbeck]

And aht's wrong with that?

[tpt1111]

So if it wasn't as tight as this, would they sound so, er, black?

Moron....

[xlfutur1]

I saw Bill in the late 70's with a small group including Danny Stiles and afterwards got to ask him a few questions about bone playing. When I asked what he felt was the single most important element of playing he said "control of the air stream".

When you watch him play he makes it look incredibly easy and his embouchure is rock solid in all registers. he is fundamentally just a terrific player. Everything is perfect from a brass playing standpoint.

[Tinypuente]

He such a beatiful tone to his playing. You can really tell he must of studied classical techniques for a while before going to Jazz. Always am amazed by the solo no matter how many times I hear it!

[jt13910]

youre right he has great tone! but his melody doesnt seem so great. he does have an amazing sound tho!

[kase902]

I agree, I prefer Robin Eubanks or JJ any day

[bonesteve]

robin eubanks???? are you kidding? i can't even listen to one of my favorite bass players (dave holland) because robin keeps ruining his albums even with chris potter. jj, on the other hand, is definitely the shit

[kase902]

dude, how can you not love robin?

[grandmaos]

robins a good player.. but he doesnt the same amazing sound jj or a lot of the greats have

[richardwigley]

@bonesteve Robin Eubanks is great.. wash your mouth out!! ;-)

[bonesteve]

@richardwigley he is great...at playing b.s. solos (although he will occasionally throw out a cool idea - only to step on it with several b.s. high-note inarticulate noodles)

[purpleness27]

@bonesteve robin eubanks is a chief at trombone. Fuck you.

[bonesteve]

@purpleness27 you're right about that! (okay, inside joke: "chief" is another way to say "douchebag")

[jeremyjgray]

Hey, I was in a Louisiana high school when Watrous gave a workshop and concert with the school stage band there in 1978. Incredible! One of the charts was Fourth Floor Walkup, you know, where Bill takes this crazy cadenza and drops jaws in the audience.

Years later, at a Pizza Express concert in London, I asked Bill why they never played the chart anymore and he said it was destroyed in a fire. I find it hard to believe that he didn't transcribe and revive. Anyone have any details on this?!

[swiftninja1234]

does anyone else think it's funny he's had the same hair style for decades?

[bassbonebobo]

A friend of mine was competing in an improv competition that Watrous was adjudicating a few years ago. After playing one of the best trombone solos I've ever heard my friend looked pretty pleased with himself. Watrous looked him right in the eyes and said "Nice hair, kid." To this day he has not lived that down. He won the contest though.

[playbari]

haha yeah

[Tomdabananaman]

Holy crap. I think I just wet myself. A true living legend playing on that little screen infront of all of you. I know what I am naming my first child......

[kidavid77]

Freakin' Bill Watrous! Always makes me feel like either practicing like hell or breaking my slide over my knee. What a player!

Does anyone have a recording of his insane CADENZA from the song "4th Floor Walkup" ??

[saxocopter]

Now you know how we tenor players felt whenever we heard Michael Brecker(God rest his soul[wiping tears from my eyes]) play! I'm a tenor man, but listening to Bill makes me whether I should've taken up the 'bone!

[ssminopoopy]

Good news - that CADENZA on 4th Floor Walkup is now available on his Manhattan Wildlife Refuge album reissued on CD by Wounded Bird Records.

Cheers!

[jeremyjgray]

The original Manhattan Wildlife Refuge album with 4th Floor Walkup has been reissued on CD. And yes, that cadenza is still amazing!

[kidavid77]

YES! I just got it in the mail and it's as incredible as it ever was. Thanks for your story about Bill W. I noticed that trombone player Nick Lane arranged "4th Floor Walkup;"

perhaps he is still around and has the arrangements? Great post, jeremygray; Thanks!

[jeremyjgray]

To complete the Pizza Express story, I also asked Bill what happened to Danny Stiles, the lead trumpet on the '70s MWR albums (in the earlier fusion-oriented Ten Wheel Drive, also with Bill). He said only that Danny succumbed to alcohol. He and Bill were known to be close friends from the old days and Bill wouldn't say any more.

Now I've done web searches on Stiles but there's not much out there after the '80s. One web forum pegs his death in the late '90s. Anyone know more?!

[swiftninja1234]

*sits here jealous pouting at the computer screen*

[bepinlv]

What a tight band! And Bill's phrasing is frickin' awesome!!!

[marcusjazz1625]

So bill watrous is freaking awesome, spectacular, and amazing at trombone at the same time... but who was his tenor player?

[olivero88]

The tenor solo was by Gordon Goodwin. Crap, I'm in that video and don't even remember the gig. It might have been at the now defunct Dante's jazz club in L.A.

[marcusjazz1625]

Oh Crap! i didnt even recognize him! Gordon goodwin looks so young, well anyways.

[olivero88]

Yeah, and I see that Dan Higgins is playing the 2nd tenor spot in that video. Which is odd, since Dan usually played lead alto, though it looks like Bob Shepard is playing lead alto on that gig. Bob Shepard took over the lead alto spot from Higgins later on. FWIW.

[marcusjazz1625]

Haha lets hope i can get get that good at improv after high school and college..

[circusbone]

it says on the box of the video (which I have, btw) that it was recorded at a place called Concerts by the Sea, which was owned by former Stan Kenton bass player, and I can't remember his name. so you were at the club, or on the band??

[tropicalesq]

Concerts by the Sea? Huh. I recall that place, but I don't recall playing there with Bill. Yes, I was in the band. Sure would like to get a copy of that video, for old times' sake...

If I recall, we were told that the video never came out. I certainly don't recall ever being paid for it. How did you get it?

[circusbone]

i used to work in a video store in 86 or so. I was looking thru the catalog one day, and I saw the video. i think it was put on on a Sony label. Its called Volume I, but I have never seen a volume II. The band is really hot, and I have enjoyed it over and over. I made a VHS copy of it back then, and the original tape has only been played twice.

[finchtrump]

Howard Rumsey?

[RichBassBone]

The name you're trying to recall is Howard Rumsey.

[drummachinessuck]

That's Ron Stout too isn't it?

[dandiacal]

Good playing! Could you tell me when Dantes closed?

[Markeygirl]

I was lucky enough to see Bill play at a small jazz venue in Toronto in the 70's and he knocked my sox off... his talent is monumental... his breathing was very different too, according to my father & brother who are also trombonists. Amazing to be able to come on here and revisit the greats. Thank you for posting this. xxx

[tercius2603]

bom d+++ um dia eu chego la spokspokposks

[tbgulli]

kickass music!! awsome solo!!! but his dacing, it's kinda... well let's say funny.

[vegasboundordie]

More of this please!!!!

[lancevigorous]

it's really great to see this!

[stretch54]

Good sounding Big Band! Can anyone tell me where to find any Don Ellis Orchestra videos? He ain't really on Youtube much. How has he just fallen through the cracks? It makes no sense.

[AmericanCourage]

Stretch a good place to find Don is on google videos. Keep jazz alive!

[Thegreattrombonist]

Hi,

Is this from a DVD or TV ?

Where can i get this DVD or TV Recording.

help, help, help

Thanxxxx

[irvldm1]

you have birdland in this concert?????????, please upload!!!!!!

[jazztenor71]

Did I miss something here? What year was this recorded? I have pics of Gordon playing in the sax section of the Louie Bellson Orchestra at Concord Jazz Festival in 1980 (Don Menza, Andy MacIntosh, Dick Spencer, Matt Catingub). Also have photos of him with Louie Bellson's small group at a jazz nightclub in San Francisco with Blue Mitchell and Grant Geissman.

[jpark714]

That's Gordon Goodwin (of Big Phat Band fame) playing the tenor solo.

[Zombbg4]

space available is a good one, though it's funny because i saw this after listening to that album and the opening to bill's solo is almost exactly the same.

[Eubanks371]

I have Time for love and I like it can anyone else recommend another good album of his please?

[BloozBone]

I have Bonefied, which is good. The best, I think, are "Tiger of San Pedro" and Manhattan Wildlife Refuge, but those are on vinyl only as far as I know.

[lxlstrombone1]

Couple corrections...

It is not Bruce Fowler, it's Brian Matsen

It is not Steve Tyler, it's Steve Holtman

[DavePlaysTrombone]

ooooh yeah, that guy! looks like trumpet fingerings

[Trombone0817]

Anybody see the guy at 5:05 playing the "Air Saxophone?" lol, but yeah, Watrous is amazing, no doubt.

[DavePlaysTrombone]

The saxes weren't playing for a couple of bars there.

Watrous sounds great -- like Watrous does. I'm not into the drum sound here, but it was the early 80's and that was OK then.

[Trombone0817]

Well, I meant the guy in the audience, he's right in front of the camera. And yeah, I don't dig the drumming in this particular song too much either.

[johnnyrob1972]

Amazing trombonist and my idol!!! makes me want to throw my 'bone off a cliff! still trying to get his Famous Door recordings

[vegasboundordie]

More please!!!!!

Watrous is sublime.

[minor7b5]

Anyone know who takes the great tenor solo?