Bill Watrous - Village Dance

[yankz57]

Lol at all the other trombone players

[error9900]

Nice multiphonics at the end.

[TubaPuzon]

super !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tromuniapp]

It's so in tune!

[cowboytyty]

look at the litte chinese dude rippin it before bil watrous goes on lol

[pkwarrior12]

The other trombones look nervous during the solo LMAO

[CartmanTuttle]

My dad played alongside this guy.

[lilumuli]

houaou



[crobertofaria]

O MELHOR TROMBONISTA DO MUNDO!

THE BEST !

[oxoboxo84]

Got to see him when he came to New London, CT High School (his alma mater) to do a benefit concert to save the music program. (mission accomplished!). His playing will make the hair on your arms stand up. Plays the trombone like it's a trumpet. One of the best ever.

[chickenjeorge19]

<3 omg i met this guy in person ahhhhh orgasmalisious

[Walpolapalooza]

Does anyone know what horn he plays? My guess is a Martin.

[KameronID]

@Walpolapalooza

A trombon-- wait. Uh, I don't know. :)

[macree01]

@Walpolapalooza

Bach LT16M, Pre Elkart era. with a New York Bach 11C mouthpiece.

[chewbacca001]

@Walpolapalooza its a trombone

[MrAgostoTromboneMan]

Este si q es un bravo del Trombon....... Oiganlo en " El avispon verde" ( Busca el titulo en Ingles).........

[forceknt31]

first time i saw this i shit a brick

[macree01]

Seeing him this summer.... :D really excited!!!

[killertromboner]

Sounds legit, but that haircut is wack

[MrTrommylee]

i'm mixed. his ABILITY is second 2 none! i may never live long enough to play so well, from a physical perspective. he's a true virtuoso. on the flip side, if i had even one tenth of his ability i would prefer to play entirely different, more urban music. but MY opinion aside, the guy's truly great!!

[bepinlv]

Love the trumpet player with the blond Mohawk. But seriously, Watrous is an ANIMAL on the 'bone!

[luigianguiani]

Mr. Bill Watrous ha sido mi mayor influencia en mi carrera como trombonísta. Gracias Maestro Dios lo bendiga.

[andrehu83]

exelente maestro milll felicitaciones usted es el numero 1

[lolUrMomincollege]

trombone is gay......ur all gay...i hate all of u

[rbrt509]

@lolUrMomincollege You seem to be obsessed with being gay. Hmmm...

[knifenewbie456]

@lolUrMomincollege if it's gay then why are you watching this? are you into being gay?

[killertromboner]

@lolUrMomincollege Jack ass

[VASlanga]

Trombonenasticly...that is a first...but it's also Bill Watrous...makes me wonder should I even try anymore....

[lexidart]

Bill does Bill's thing better than anyone else trying to do Bill's thing. Bill is a human Fabergé egg...a work of art himself. His kind of playing isn't the only kind of trombone playing but it's his kind God bless him. I have been heavily influenced in many ways by him both trombonastically and otherwise. Look, he's even emboldened me to make up a word:)

[jespertorn]

To fluffy sound. No articulation. Sorry just 1 on a scale.

[JeFFxBoJaNGleZz]

@jespertorn ok lets see you do better, im guessing you either dont play trombone or have semi-retardation

[WCUTrombones]

@jespertorn I'd like to see you play trombone. Bill Watrous is awesome.

[noeyes135]

@jespertorn you're an idiot.

[Cheeseguy88]

holy. fuck.

[luigianguiani]

GRACIAS MAESTRO POR EXISTIR.

[timbatrombone]

bill watrous legend. only criticism is that a player as amazing as this should know that if u stick the mic right up your bell its gonna sound like shite?!?!?! when he backs off a bit towards the end the tone is 100 times better and it starts to sound like a beautifully played trombone and not a trumpet with a sock stuffed in the end of it

[WaggyT]

@timbatrombone he's known for that velvet like sound that it creates.... 

[MsMymac]

da best the very Best! jp24

[NuklearFenris]

The multiphonics came out of nowhere. The m7 and M3 towards the end were perfect though.

[majingaji]

I like Watrous. I just think he needs to articulate more and doodle/go against the grain less. ..and how about playing a few longer notes so it seems like you know what key you're in.

[LLJtbone]

Holy crap he had a stroke? Well you sure can't tell that this guy had one.. smokin' it.

[KameronID]

*American Win*

[atoman88]

this guy is an asshole

[BDDFOUR]

The man can play!!!

[QuasiAirsoft]

Am I the only one not that impressed with Bill? It seems like all he can do is play high and and constantly cross the grain during his solos. His solos lack substance, they just sound like him trying to fill a solo section with constant eighth and sixteenth rhythms.

[azuur]

@QuasiAirsoft which trombonists do you like? I'm curious :)

[nyjets19]

@QuasiAirsoft This is a more recent video. He had a stroke a few years back and his tone and sound isn't the same after that. Miracle he's still playing. Check out videos of Bill from 70's and 80's and you will see how incredible he was in his prime.

[ElectroTbone]

@nyjets19 Yo Drake I love just seeing your comments on random vids haha.

[alejandro11194]

awesome!!!

[emorgan60]

Actually that is what I have said. I've heard him in 4 concerts and was with him in a warm-up room and he plays so quite, and has a very soft sound. But still fantastic.

[boneofthewang]

Btw what is this arrangement called

[boneofthewang]

Insane multiphonics -.-

[geagweg]

cool...:)

[KameronID]

His moutpiece seems to be a bit of center, but he still has really good tone. Hm.

[starstarstar42]

Love the 'bones and trumpet's reaction at 0:20

[starstarstar42]

It just shocks me how you look back at him playing with Chick Corea in the 70's and you think "he's amazing, he can't possibly get better". Then you look at his work in the 80's with Refuge West and think "wow, this guy is insane! A human can't possibly get any better at this instrument". Then, you look at this and think..."wow, that's about the best it can get, right?". The man is simply an extension of his instrument, he thinks it, and out it comes. A-freakin-mazing.

[ExtremeRecluse]

I attended a trombone symposium where Bill was the featured artist back in 76. His theory is so simple. Make the instrument an extension of yourself. He makes it work so effortlessly. His composing is so fantastic. I don't hear very many bands today play his charts. I guess because not many bone players have the chops. I guess that is why he was and probably still is so desired as a studio player. My favorite thing about his playing is his phrasing.

[luigianguiani]

¡IMPRESIONANTE!. por qué bill watrous no viene a mexico? alguien me lo podria explicar?

[deathofisrael]

excellent upload thank's alot!!!

He sure can play..

[Zombbg4]

Do you also think Coltrane plays technical bs? If you cant hear the music I'm sorry, but it's there.

[tylarbullion]

Why does he sound bad on the cadenza?

I realize jazz musicians use different colors for their sound, but man...

His tone is so thin and airy...

Why would you even do that?

[tbnepro123]

i love 7:02 and on :-)

[tbnepro123]

does anyone know what kinda mouthpiece hes using? im looking and idk what im looking for, i just got a jazz trombone and im looking for a good mouthpiece, on my other horn i have a schilke 51, so i was wondering if there is a mouthpiece that will give me a brighter sound but is relatively close to my schilke 51, if anyone can help, thanks alot!!!! man, this guy is good, i am sooooo jealous. it looks like soo much fun

[familypaladin]

What kind of horn did you get? And just as important, what is your skill level? Last I saw him, Bill uses an old stock Conn trombone and if I remember correctly, a Bach 6C mouthpiece. I have played bass bone for over 40 years and currently have a Getzen David Taylor I converted to a dual Thayer Valve set-up. I have become very fond of the Monette mouthpieces. They are easy blowing, very centered, and can take whatever you can dish out. They are very expensive however.

[tbnepro123]

my skill level, well, im going to be a freshman, ive one a couple of scholarships on my trombone, but i just started getting into jazz, the Monette, is it mainly good for bass or will i be able to find a good one for my trombone? i got a conn 6h

[geekbeeterupper]

monette is not just for bass. in fact i've always known monettes as being great for high notes on small bore horns. wycliffe gordon uses one, and this local guy in Eugene Oregon uses a monette, and they are both ppretty amazing. as does wynton marsallis and im sure many more ppl. great brand of mouthpiece

[elkartian]

@tbnepro123 A denis wick 6bs is ideal and comparable with a schilke 51 tom ervin a great jazz and symphony player uses them both for orchestral and jazz 6bl for large bore and 6bs for jazz horn hope this helps

[khbgkh]

No doubt he is amazing, but does anybody know why he doesn't use any vibrato on those long notes?

[danielwills93]

mabye he doesnt want to =D

[fetze]

Miles didnt neither.

[grindlejoy]

fukkin good

[mikeejm]

WHAT THE F

[BobSmif]

I just crapped my pants.

[trombonepardal]

GOOD EL MEJOR

[Jebsax206]

lol its the asian invasian

[NINOJAZZPERU]

hello my name is child of peru and am a collector of jazz ... I'm an admirer of Bill Watrous and I have this video I have a complete list of dvd's and jazz concerts in my country so contestame to view this email as I can have .. thanks

[goodgod12321]

dude in the back is like that guy is nothing but is thinking thats not far.

[Dirtbike778]

good god..i cant hold it in i gotta poop... this is sooooooooooo frickin awesome!!!!!!

[slydewinder]

I know it just isn't fair is it

[LLJtbone]

Tight.

[trombonedemon]

flashy, but said nothing!! great player though! check out JJ JOhson

[macree01]

J.J Johnson was born in 1924 and grew up in a different state in a different period of time. There is no comparing Watrous to Johnson, they are two different trombone players, who grew up during a different time with different styles.

[trombonedemon]

some of these so-called asian bands are kickin ass, just sick, check out the seat-belts. Yoko Kano

[DarthBronze]

agreed

[josh76766]

its called multi phonics and its hard as hell.

[revoltingmexican]

not THAT hard!

[CraZunggoy47]

How does he do those double tones at 7:02 ?

[Dredawg42]

I was told he hums and buzzes at the same time.

[musiko83]

damn so good!!!! no i mean so great!!!! no i mean its unreal!!!! great playing!!!

[dtingleff]

ohh man bill is funny. i saw him live once, even if he's not the most musical in jazz, he is pretty entertaining, and a massive brass player.

[DarthBronze]

Rosolino is also really good to listen to.

[Plathino]

don't forget the germans, nils wogram and albert mangelsdorff

[macree01]

Rosolino is the best, by many terms.

[stutzand000]

or listen to some slide hampton, if u like concert trombone look for christian lindberg

[Circusbee]

I'm assuming that a lot of people posting comments on this video are trombone players themselves. I agree with what many people say about Bill. He has really good technique, but his musical ideas are lacking to say the least. If you want to listen to a good jazz trombonist, Bill Watrous is not the guy to be listening to. I mean, the only thing he has is technique and Ray Anderson could consider to have comparable technique. Listen to JJ, Steve Turre, Wycliffe Gordon, Ray, Steve Davis, Conrad.

[macree01]

No offense Circusbee, I think Bill Watrous could wipe Steve Turee and Wycliffe Gordon off the face of this planet, all the way to Mars. By the way, if his musical ideas are lacking then why is he a top call sideman in LA?

[Windzor235]

swee b bop tone nice

[kase902]

oh by the way, if anyone wants to see some real trombone playing, type in dave holland and the ndr big band

[Plathino]

my favourite trombone player btw.

[kase902]

i respect that. on the old stuff with manhattan wildlife, he was one of the best ever. but this is; im sorry, its just not good

[Plathino]

my favourite trombone player is eubanks, not watrous

[kase902]

oh my god.

did he just stop practicing?

i agree, musically, not so much. he's pretty stale. but i wouldn't expect anything else from someone who said coltrane contributed nothing to jazz.

[theBore]

You're totally right, Plathino!

[Plathino]

technically he is really good.musical it is really boring. nothing happens. he is only posing with his dudle tongue.i think he can't even play in deep range.he should take some lessons in playing rhythmically,too.

[bhwhkm]

What are you, dumb?

Bill Watrous Space available.

Look it up on youtube right now.

Yes, I do realize you said he is really good,

and yes, I agree, the song is boring and doesn't get anywhere, but the solo is where it's at.

Yes, he can play in deep range (I'm assuming you are talking about low notes) he played at Columbia Basin College a few years back and I went, he can definitely play high notes, and he has more rhythm than any other musician I've ever heard. You have to listen to get it.

[garciaj36]

i think this sound is only good when playing ballads, his sound is so warm and nice but i dont think he has the power that most new age jazz trombonist have...he's still really good

[geekbeeterupper1991]

well he was some of best tone in the upper range that you can find so hes at least that good

[LiamWildman]

ALL YOU TURDSMOKERS puttin' down the man,Well they booed Babe Ruth at one point in his career;perhaps you should turn your bones into planters or lamps 'cause you'll never touch this man....EVER!!!

[narb182]

The more music i listen to, the less Watrous impresses me...I must say though, some of his older stuff like with the Manhattan Wildlife Refuge is awesome!! He used to have really tasty playing mixed in with fast doodle passages, but this was a shred fest the whole time...

[sherwelthlangley]

I have to agree. In middle school, I thought Watrous was supreme. Not so much anymore now that I'm a more mature musician. His 70s/80s work is phenomenal. I don't know who he's trying to impress now.

[macree01]

Okay, First of all Watrous is one of the great jazz trombonists to have blessed this earth, so you dont even have the right the critisize him.

[Jhendia]

how can true appreciation of music occur without critisism?

[macree01]

It occurs when you pick up the horn and you realize how impossible the stuff this guy and many other trombone greats do. So unless your as good as Bill Watrous, then you cant critisize him. For instance I was never a huge fan of Curtis Fullers playing, but I know he can still whip my ass anytime of the day, so I keep my mouth shut, because I know he is still a fantastic player. You get where Im going, you cant critisize someone if you yourself cant actually do it better than they can.

[grandmaos]

eh nah these are opinions of course he could whip anyones ass technically but the solo in this video doesnt make me feel anything and im guessing a lot of other people feel the same

[macree01]

Fine than post of yourself on youtube that is more soulful or more "interesting" than this video is. Thats the rule of thumb, if your a jazz musician "dont critize another persons playing unless you know you can play what they played better"

[grandmaos]

shut the fuck up you know thats bullshit

[macree01]

You cant fool me, your comment has been spammed and mine has a +1. Its pretty clear whos right, and who everyonr agrees with. You have to learn where you are in the midst of things. Your a trombonist, hell maybe even a good trombonist, but u still cant touch this man.

[macree01]

You cant fool anyone, my comment has a +1 and yours has been spammed.

[khbgkh]

i don't necessarily agree with that sentiment. I really think that anyone has the right to critique any musician, provided its on the mark. For instance, there is definitely validity to the idea that watrous plays a lot of notes but doesnt really form very melodic lines, at least in this particular video.

[OyonTheAdept]

I agree...completely.

[GibbonJabber]

Bill Watrous looks like he is trying to look Asian. Is he wearing a toupé?

And what is with playing out of the left hand of his mouth. Does he have a big sore in the middle?

[xlfutur1]

I think he wss more musical and more on target in the late 70's and early 80s. Too much BS now.

[nobodyisforreal]

Ive never seen B.W. but the alto guy performed with a trumpet player from the Seattle area, both awesome. they were guests at our high school jazz thing. Actually, I think B.W. also played with the school band at the jazz alley or something, but it was before my time.

[revoltingmexican]

Look at that "window" cut! Noice Haircut mate, noice haircut!

[revoltingmexican]

Look at that "window" cut! Noice Haircut mate, noice haircut!

[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?!

[ecuabuey]

este trombonista si que esta cabron!!!!jimy boch,reynaldo,willian c,willie c,y todos los trombonistas salseros .. tienen que mamarsela a bill wuatrus.

[garciaj36]

escucha a wiclife gordon-fantasy

[0compassionatesoul0]

wycliffe gordon vino a mi escuela hace unas semanas. el es muuuuy impresionante!

[macree01]

Damn, this is a freakin amazing trombone solo!

[mxer6161]

rhythmic blah. His earlier stuff is much much better. In this vid he chops out over the same pattern the whole time. Its annoying

[kovaxtromb]

jesus....what a condition...I don't know the date of this concert, but I guess he was more than 60, when it was held. Amazing..

[jessea9737]

OMG i think i finally found out how to make a yah yah sound.......instead of singing a note in an octave around the note your playing.....try singing it an octave up.....like at 7:14

[hellomrmister77]

in the first 10 seconds when he points to the sax soloist i think he said "i cant pronounce his name"

[jojomusic69]

oh my and his multiphonics at the end are fantastic!

[jojomusic69]

I see that some people don't like this guy's playing, but you really can't compare his playing to anyone else's...he's just different and amazing in his own way. He's so flexible, and not many players play like him b/c they can't...

[nosense82]

hes so amazing.

i saw him live at a jazz cafe with my friend.

we got to shake his hand. and it was the hand he moves his slide with :P

[boneysax]

Huzzah!!!! That was awesome

[marcusjazz1625]

I went to a clinic of Bill watrous and he doesnt think in chord progressions. hes psycho!

[marcusjazz1625]

in a good way of course...

[TheZeldaNerd]

wait... I dont get it! How does he think, then?

[marcusjazz1625]

He has an amazing taste for melodies, and the trombone just makes the noises for them.. its like singing to a song, you dont know what notes or chords that are in the music, you just "ear it". he knows his trombone as well as some humans know their voices.

[Trombone0817]

Intresting. Does he have Absolute Pitch? I wouldn't think so, I've heard him out of tune before...

[boneman751]

Don't know the name but you buzz and sing in harmony at the same time. Not hard to do, just hard to do correctly.

[flipside1717]

It's called multiphonics. And doing it correctly is very difficult, which is why Bill is so amazing. :)

Oh, loved the video too.

[burr1aj]

its easy to do if the note you are singing and the note you are playing are way apart from eachother, but as you get closer to the same pitch, it gets tougher.

[lxleulogylxl]

what is the technique called the bill did at the end

[chewbacca001]

it's easy to start learning and practicing with pedal tones, then you can work your way up to "real" notes. that's what i did. still not perfect, but i can do it.

[dekarthegreat]

It's funny. I grew up listening to Bill Watrous. He's one of the reasons I took up trombone. But as I get older, I become less and less interested in his playing. I don't know why. It sounds more and more like gibberish every time I hear him. I mean, I love his playing, but still...

[carmenodgie]

I agree....He's a technical MONSTER, but the content is all fluff to me.  Lack the creative spark I hear in many other players...

[mingusmonk0]

I have the exact same opinion. His stuff from 10 or 15 years ago is my favorite. Albums like "The Amulet" but recently I actually can't stand listening to his stuff. And I saw him a month ago and he was just doing 16th note sonic high blah. He used to combine that with sophistication and melodious playing but oh well.

[holton10]

muy espectacular el centro de los agudos y el trabajo en ellos excelente felicitaciones master

[ayerpbmore]

GOTDAMN!

[carlinhospitanga2]

is very very perfect man who speak is a trombone brazilian guy my namo is carlinhos pitanga

[braintreecat]

Any Questions? Did't think so.

[chewbacca001]

yes my son, there is a God!

[anaaaaal]

monster

[symiankrone]

amazing

[trombonistry]

Too bad the sound quality of the recording is poor because Bill's sound is much nicer than that even when doing all the fast stuff.

[golcowie]

Super Bill !!!

The master ,master ....

Pawel Golec- tbn

[shoegazer666]

sublime!