The title under this video is Bill Watrous-Spain and that was a great trombone solo, but what about the flute solo? That flute solo was absolutely incredible.
Agreed. I always loved that about his playing. You can't tell where his playing begins or ends b/c it's just so seamless. Not forced, just beautiful smooth tone quality even in the high range. I miss these guys! RIP Bill and Chick! (oh, the Flute solo is amazing as well).
Bill was featured artist for 1977 UF Jazz Band Gary Langford conductor, me 2nd tenor. Watrous was AMAZING . We had a hot band that year. Good times. Great memories. God must love having Bill's company.
Back in the day that was one of my favorite performances of that piece. I had a great time years ago chatting with Bill when he was a guest artist for All State Jazz Band. My dad was manager or might have been president at that time and Bill told me to be a player but know that the educator is what made me what I am. It is more important than what I do. And the next year I met and hung out with my dad's friend Ed Shawnessey from the tonight show. He and I watched the Carson Show together. Two great influences as to what I do today.
I had this conversation with the amazing drummer of our jazz band when I was in high school (I played keys). Walking from the parking lot to class. Me: Hey, Steve. Steve: Hey. [silence] Steve: Chick's God, isn't he. Me: Yeah.
Bill Watrous...probably the best jazz tbone player that ever lived...just killin' it!!! These guys are all so laid back...a magical combo of phenomenal musicianship, composition, time and place
Had the absolute pleasure to meet and play gigs with Bill when he taught in Modesto for the Gottschalks Jazz Band when Ernie Bucio was still alive. Even have a signed poster from him. RIP! ❤️
these great lords of music, george benson guitar chick corea piano and keyboards, Bill Watrous trombone total mastery of the instrument, these guys are legends of jazz
I vaguely remember this as being a Downbeat Reader's Poll Concert of some of the winners in whatever year this was. I'm thinking 75 or 76. Watrous played on Corea's album "The Leprechaun" right around that time as well.
This is incredible! And those of you who think this is ridiculous have no knowledge of what it means to master a musical instrument: Bill Watrous: incredible and mind blowing! absolutely MIND BLOWING! amazing and out of this world! OUT OF THIS WORLD! already back then in the 70s!
Whenever I hear say some music or musicians are "ridiculous," 100% of the time it means "extremely good." I've never heard it used to mean anything else in the context of music.
Stanley Clarke on Bass is a monster-wow! All are superb of course, and this is way back when you had to learn to play your instrument properly, no gadgets to aid you. It was called talent!
+cofla73 Yeah, truly great. Our jazz band did this tune and I didn't do it justice. I saw Lenny live as a kid and was inspired and depressed all at the same time.
Wow, he showed the flutist it ain't just you. I mean he puts the flute guy to shame! They look disappointed after his solo, I hope they didn't jump him lol
so we all managed to name the line up - except the drummer! who is as amazing as everyone else in this clip....for 10 points who is it? (i think i know) & for a bonus who introduces?? :-)
sound is only one aspect though :\ I mean I don't really enjoy listening to Watrous, not saying he is bad at all, the man can play! but just because I don't enjoy listening to him doesn't mean I don't like those guys, I could listen to Fontana till the cows come home!
What would someone complain about? If you don't like Watrous, chances are you don't like Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana or Dave Steinmeyer. They all have the same pure centered tone, unlike the currently popular sound which spreads too much and sounds harsh to me.
RIP Chick and Bill. Together again.
best trombone solo ever played in a denim leisure suit
agreed
The title under this video is Bill Watrous-Spain and that was a great trombone solo, but what about the flute solo? That flute solo was absolutely incredible.
Yeah hubert killed it
If you like that you should check out Eric Dolphy and James Moody
i play the flute and daaaaang he killed it. in 1:39 that "tongue-ing" isnt even triple its quadruple bro like dang... hard to do
That trombone solo was far more than great
Hubert Laws?
Watrous is AMAZING! Its hard to tell he is playing sometimes because he blends in so seamlessly with the music. Absolutely incredible!
Agreed. I always loved that about his playing. You can't tell where his playing begins or ends b/c it's just so seamless. Not forced, just beautiful smooth tone quality even in the high range. I miss these guys! RIP Bill and Chick! (oh, the Flute solo is amazing as well).
Bill was featured artist for 1977 UF Jazz Band Gary Langford conductor, me 2nd tenor. Watrous was AMAZING . We had a hot band that year. Good times. Great memories. God must love having Bill's company.
Univ. Florida?
Yes
Flute - Hubert Laws
Trombone - Bill Watrous
Guitar - George Benson
Keyboard - Chic Corea
Bass - Stanley Clarke
Drums - Lenny White
Back in the day that was one of my favorite performances of that piece. I had a great time years ago chatting with Bill when he was a guest artist for All State Jazz Band. My dad was manager or might have been president at that time and Bill told me to be a player but know that the educator is what made me what I am. It is more important than what I do. And the next year I met and hung out with my dad's friend Ed Shawnessey from the tonight show. He and I watched the Carson Show together. Two great influences as to what I do today.
+Dave Thomas I loved seeing Lenny with Chick and RTF back in the day.
Dave Thomas thanks a Lot!
Flute - Lando
Trombone - Luke Skywalker
Thanks!!
Sad to hear, the trombonist, Bill Watrous has passed. Will be dearly missed.
Man RIP Bill and Chick! First video I ever seen of both of them 💔💔💔
Is that. George Benson
WOW!!!!
6 Superheroes playing together.
Amazing.
RIP to Chick and Bill, two of the greatest musicians of all time.
Love those 70's outfits - the rest is unapproachable. Great to see George Benson as just one of the cats.
Stanley has the best samba feel ever! He just floats!
I had this conversation with the amazing drummer of our jazz band when I was in high school (I played keys).
Walking from the parking lot to class.
Me: Hey, Steve.
Steve: Hey.
[silence]
Steve: Chick's God, isn't he.
Me: Yeah.
Such a smooth trombone solo from Bill. Wow. And a young George Benson. I almost didn't recognize him.
Bill Watrous...probably the best jazz tbone player that ever lived...just killin' it!!! These guys are all so laid back...a magical combo of phenomenal musicianship, composition, time and place
Best jazz bone player ever - bold statement there my friend. What about JJ Johnson, Urbie Green, Frank Rosolino and Carl Fontana?
Let’s not forget Dave Steinmeyer and Wycliffe Gordon…Wycliffe playing with Mnozil Brass is priceless
What a supergroup! Watrous, Corea, Stanley Clarke, Hubert Laws and more...
Had the absolute pleasure to meet and play gigs with Bill when he taught in Modesto for the Gottschalks Jazz Band when Ernie Bucio was still alive. Even have a signed poster from him. RIP! ❤️
Everything about this combo is amazing. It is just a pleasure to listen to these guys.
...... ESTE VIDEO LO VEO MILES DE VECES Y SIEMPRE ME IMPRESIONA BILL WATROUS.... UNO DE LOS MEJORES TROMBONISTAS DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS...UN GENIO!! :)
+leonel gonzalez Yeah, one of the best trombonists ever. Agree with that verdad.
I think he was at his best here! Simply a sensation...!
rip bill. you gave us some of the best out there.
Ladies and gentlemen...Luke Skywalker on trombone.
+Oscar Centeno LMAO
+Oscar Centeno Im happy I was not the only one thinking that.
Lando on flute :D
You aint shittin.
Yes
I heard this before on the radio a while back I like this kind of jazz music ❤❤❤❤
Rest in peace Bill. Forever a legend.
these great lords of music, george benson guitar
chick corea piano and keyboards, Bill Watrous trombone total mastery of the instrument, these guys are legends of jazz
Don’t forget Lenny White. Absolutely sentimental drummer in the 60s and 70s
1:23 "here, have some of my slide spit....on your shoe"
Good lord! What an ensemble! Laws, Stanley, Corea and Watrous!?!? Are you kidding me!
Bill is the greatest trombonist who ever lived and still lives I hope.. PERIOD.
Conrad Herwig comes closer.
I love how Stanley looks over and smiles at Chick at 6:07, like "Where Have I Heard This
Before".
RIP Mr. Watrous
Rip bill watrous. Ah the days of great jazz and the downbeat readers polls. It really meant something. Had the chance to play wirh Watrous in college.
I vaguely remember this as being a Downbeat Reader's Poll Concert of some of the winners in whatever year this was. I'm thinking 75 or 76. Watrous played on Corea's album "The Leprechaun" right around that time as well.
This is incredible! And those of you who think this is ridiculous have no knowledge of what it means to master a musical instrument: Bill Watrous: incredible and mind blowing! absolutely MIND BLOWING! amazing and out of this world! OUT OF THIS WORLD! already back then in the 70s!
Whenever I hear say some music or musicians are "ridiculous," 100% of the time it means "extremely good." I've never heard it used to mean anything else in the context of music.
This is as good as it gets, all of them are masters of their instruments, love to see this line-up now 2012.
I’d love to see this now too. 2022
@4:51 Benson is like "I want some more heat" and the band is like "Give that man what he wants!"
How can he be so chill when playing such hard pieces
2:40 bill watrous solo
For the bloke below the guitarist is George Benson. I just stumbled on this post. "Heavy weights" is a phrase that comes to mind.
+Martin Indvik Fun to see George in RTF... before Breezin' hit IIRC. Al was fun to see with them too in the 70's.
I HAVE TO AGREE WITH LONDON BILL 100!! Their just pissed because Bill Watrous is a BEAST and others cannot play like that!!!!!
great tune from an all star band!
WATROUS EL MAS GRANDE
awesomeness personified!!!
wow, the drummer sounds like he has 4 hands, Laws and Benson and Chics solos were classic arse Kicking! But Watrous was mind-blowing!
Dang. Bill played in unison with the flute at the end, like it was nothing.
Hubert Laws on flute! Oh and Stanley and George in the rhythm section.
Hubert Laws on flute!
GREAT SOLO! That was fantastic!
R.I.P. Bill
Bravismo 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Stanley Clarke on Bass is a monster-wow! All are superb of course, and this is way back when you had to learn to play your instrument properly, no gadgets to aid you. It was called talent!
Fabulous
5:43 Sounds like a sound effect from mario
Lol
😂😂😂
@londonbill100 Amen! Watrous is my favorite to this day.
love it
great vid thanks for this!
The drummer is Lenny White.
+cofla73 Yeah, truly great. Our jazz band did this tune and I didn't do it justice. I saw Lenny live as a kid and was inspired and depressed all at the same time.
Who would dislike this?
Man, 3:03-3:17 are golden!
is that george benson on guitar?
The drums seem a bit loud, and the Fender Rhodes could be louder.
But the rendition of what essentially is a modern standard is excellent.
Wow, Luke Skywalker is pretty great at playing the trombone.
damn bill!
Oh, and intro is Quincy Jones. ;)
Damn!
Gods among men
G.B. - of course
@orichalcum1 obviously the whole group is great! Im just a bone player, so most of the time thats what a listen for. I didnt mean disrespect. peace
3:21 - Jesus Christ. That's why he's Bill Effin' Watrous
ouuu... muito bom
Wow, he showed the flutist it ain't just you. I mean he puts the flute guy to shame! They look disappointed after his solo, I hope they didn't jump him lol
@londonbill100 Who in his/her right mind would dream of criticising Bill Watrous?!?!?!?!
Guys... we lost Chick Corea today. :(
That trombonist was sick, reminds me of old school Dave Brubeck
This whole rendition is unbelievable, but Lenny White is the winner. Not that it's a competition.
What concert/album is this from?
holy shit
does anybody know who the flautist and bassist are?
so we all managed to name the line up - except the drummer!
who is as amazing as everyone else in this clip....for 10 points who is it?
(i think i know) & for a bonus who introduces??
:-)
Drummer must be Lenny White (RTF).
sound is only one aspect though :\ I mean I don't really enjoy listening to Watrous, not saying he is bad at all, the man can play! but just because I don't enjoy listening to him doesn't mean I don't like those guys, I could listen to Fontana till the cows come home!
George Benson destruindo tudo...kkkkkkkkk
does anybody know who's the guitarist?
+ladiviniiisimagarza George Benson (remember 'Breezin,'?)
thanks billytheweasel!!!
But they all have completely different and unique tones...
What would someone complain about? If you don't like Watrous, chances are you don't like Frank Rosolino, Carl Fontana or Dave Steinmeyer. They all have the same pure centered tone, unlike the currently popular sound which spreads too much and sounds harsh to me.
The fact that I was complimented by bill personally holy crap man!
totally ridiculous
5:43 Mario eats a mushroom.
what about the other players? he's not playing on his own...