Thanks so much for doing this interview. Many of us trombone players grew up with Bill Watrous records and were blown away by his virtuosity. My father did a jingle for the cherry industry in the early 80s, recorded in LA, and Bill was on the gig. Lennie Niehaus wrote the jingle and gave Bill a nice little solo on the 60 second spot. My dad took me to the session and it was incredible. Bill played incredible solos on EVERY take! High F's and all. What a great memory.
There is no question that Bill is an amazing player and musician. I have heard him live twice, however, and it seemed like had he not played with the mic as far into his bell as possible, no one, even in the front row, could have heard him. I appreciate and respect that all the amazingly intricate tonguing he does as well as other facets of his style simply do not lend themselves, if they are even possible, when playing even at "normal" volume levels. I really enjoy and am amazed by Bill's playing and I applaud him for it. I know I am risking being slammed and that's ok. I am not commenting to take anything away from what is readily admittedly practically unbelievable playing. I am only saying it LOOKS odd, as if that means anything, and I would like to hear him play in a group without a mic, again, not to criticize, I am just curious and trying to learn.
I had the great honor of playing in my college band and even sat in a few rehearsals with The Refuge. Don and I were buds a bit back in the 70's and I know what inspired 4th Floor Walk Up. We watched OJ break Jim Browns record at the Jet Buffalo game and we took his famed Mercedes to the game. What a player Stiles was.
Thanks to Michael Davis and Bill Watrous for a great interview. I was transfixed listening! I hope to find other similar talks with Michael on youtube.
Yes Sir! Great to see & hear what Bill Watrous has got to say in 2014. Thanks Michael Davis & HipBoneMusic! I had the privilege of having a private lesson with him up at his home off the 210 Fwy. He was awesome and we had a great hang. I think I landed up hanging out with him and his wife for a few hours, back in around 2003. I'm heading back to L.A. this August. I'll try to find him again. Peace, Al Campos
Bill Watrous is absolutely amazing. I was about 18 at the time, back in the mid 70's and a neighbor who I only saw once and never again invited me over to his place and asked me who was my favorite and I answered Fred Wesley. Have you heard of Bill Watrous? No. I put on "4th floor walkup" and good LORD, that scared me to death. I never heard anything like it before or since. The George Benson of trombone.
I found a version of Let's Face the Music and Dance, featuring Urbie Green, on youtube and his playing was competent but not spectacular. It would be nice to know which recording of Let's Face the Music and Dance, featuring Urbie Green, impressed Bill Watrous, if it differ from the one on youtube.
