Bobby Watson w/ the Kzoo Jazz Project

BOBBY WATSON sits among the pantheon of present-day jazz greats. Born in Lawrence, Kan., his career now spans more than four decades. A multi-GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator and producer, Watson trained formally at the University of Miami and then, from 1977-1981, earned his “doctorate” as musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. During his four-plus years with the legendary drummer, the saxophonist contributed to 14 Jazz Messengers recordings — more than anyone else in the group’s 35-year (1955-1990) storied history.

Not surprisingly, Watson has received a number of well-deserved awards that in various ways recognize his musical contributions throughout his career. In 2011 the saxophonist was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of fame. In 2013 he received the prestigious Benny Golson Jazz Masters Award from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Simultaneously, the Black National Caucus officially recognized his work in the Congressional Record. On August 23, 2014 – serendipitously Watson’s 61st birthday – he was selected as one of the first inductees into the then-newly established 18th and Vine “Jazz Walk of Fame.” Joining him was Pat Metheny as the only other living selection; four of the city’s jazz cornerstones also received recognition: Count Basie, Jay McShann, Parker and Mary Lou Williams.

ABOUT THE KZOO JAZZ PROJECT
Matthew Fries – Piano
Pianist/composer MATTHEW FRIES is a joyful voice on the piano, recording ten albums featuring many of his original compositions. His music has been described as "playful and hopeful", “introspective", "full of joy and wonderment", and "awash with tonal colors." But it is his deeply swinging piano style and collaborative spirit that have also made him an indemand sideman for both instrumentalists and vocalists. Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, he has toured worldwide, appears on scores of recordings, and his work has been described as “the best jazz accompaniment I’ve seen in a cabaret in years” (The New York Times), and “the crispest rhythm section imaginable” (The London Times

Carlo De Rosa – Bass
"De Rosa is quite a revelation. Best known as a sideman...he is a virtuoso bassist with a technique recalling that of Jaco Pastorius or Scott LaFaro from the past and maybe Drew Gress from the present. As a composer, he is equally formidable.... But however involved the arrangements become, everything is completely accessible and this is an exceptional album. As for the musicians, Mark Shim...is one of the most original of all the current tenor stylists. His...solos come in short, sharp bursts and always leave one wanting more. Vijay Iyer, heard here on Rhodes more often than usual, is now unquestionably the ground breaking pianist in jazz, really gets into De Rosa's conception, adding his own idiosyncratic interpretations and also inspires all the solo sections. As for Justin Brown, his playing...will certainly give exposure to his outstanding talent. All in all, a super strongly individual stylists playing deep, dark, muscular music with a remarkably wide appeal." – Jazzwise

Keith Hall – Drums
Keith Hall has established himself as a passionate educator and joyful performer over the last 25 years. For 12 years, Keith spent much of his time touring worldwide and recording with Curtis Stigers. Hall has also performed with the likes of Betty Carter, Sir Roland Hanna, Michael Phillip Mossman, New York Voices, Janis Siegel, Terrell Stafford, Steve Wilson and many others. He continues to tour and record with his critically acclaimed NYC-based trio TRI-FI. Hall lived and worked in New York City for nine years performing in a multitude of musical contexts and was a regular sub on Broadway’s Lion King. He toured Europe in the American Music Abroad Program with the Latin-jazz quartet, Grupo Yanqui. Hall is Jazz Drum Set Professor at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo MI, where he holds his annual Summer Drum Intensive. He is the author Jazz Drums Now! Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and the radio host for Jazz Currents on WMUK, the NPR affiliate in Kalamazoo, Mich.