Podcast 802: A Conversation with Bobby Watson

Bobby Watson had been scheduled for another busy year in 2020, before it all fell apart in short order last winter. However, listeners are able to hear him on two exception releases last year. One was Keepin' It Real (Smoke Sessions) with a reconstituted version of his Horizon band, while the other was an epic blowing session with fellow sax giants Vincent Herring and Gary Bartz on Bird at 100. Ironically, Watson has found himself with more time than ever to listen to and contemplate music and how to play it. After 20 years as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and decades more as an educator at institutions like Manhattan School of Music, the New School, and William Paterson University, Watson retired from academia this year. As one of the keepers of Hard Bop's funky flames, Bobby continues to show that he can – well, keep it real. Keepin' It Real lets Watson lead a band he calls "New Horizon," and features trumpeters Josh Evans or Giveton Gelin, pianist Victor Gould, drummer Victor Jones and of course, bassist Curtis Lundy, whose relationship with Watson dates back to their college days at the University of Miami. The album is full of the kind of fiery solos and tight melodies we have come to expect from Bobby, with the band particularly inspired on the Charlie Parker inspired "Mohawk," Jackie McLean's "Condition Blue," and especially his dedication to the late pianist John Hicks, "One for John (747)." Bird at 100 was one of my selections as "A Few of My Favorite Things" for 2020.  The three great veteran sax players – Herring, Bartz and Watson – do more than just cover Parker tunes. Bobby contributed his Bird tribute by rewriting "Confirmation" as "Bird-ish," in addition to working through Parker standards like "Lover Man" and a burning rendition of "Klactoveedsedstene." Podcast 802 is my first conversation in just over seven years with Bobby Watson, as we discuss the making of these two albums, his long collaboration with Curtis Lundy, his love of melody in his playing. Bobby also gives what is now a fitting epitaph for the late Ralph Peterson Jr., as he discusses why Ralph was able to channel the sound and stylings of Art Blakey so well. Musical selections from  Keepin' It Real include "One for John (747)" and Miles Davis' "Flamenco Sketches," plus "Bird-ish" from Bird at 100.