Reggie Watkins – One For Miles One For Maynard

August 29, 2014 / No Comments / Tags: Carmelo Torres, Corona Music, David Throckmorton, Howard Alexander III, Ian Gordon, Jeff Grubbs, Matt Parker, Reggie Watkins, Rick Matt, Steve Hawk, thejazzpage.com

(Corona Music)


Reggie Watkins is a force on trombone. On One For Miles, One For Maynard, his second recording, Watkins brings the energy of a player who has always been out front, and yet he spent a bit of time working behind the scenes as the musical director and arranger for the late great trumpetman Maynard Ferguson. The experience paid off and it’s heard on this effort. The music and arrangements are big and bright with an intensity that the two men it pays homage to would likely enjoy. Watkins is joined by an outstanding group of musicians, including Matt Parker and Rick Matt on various saxophones, Steve Hawk and Ian Gordon on trumpets, David Throckmorton on drums, Howard Alexander III on piano, Jeff Grubbs on bass and Carmelo Torres on percussion, to name a few. Most of the great compositions on the effort are by the hands of Watkins and Parker, with nice re-workings of tunes by Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson and McCoy Tyner. This is a truly high-quality work.

Click to listen to a clip of “Full Sun”:


Tracks: Shhh, Expecting You, Chala Nata, Contemplation, Sound Judgement, I Can’t Help It, Full Sun, Hurdles .