Bobby Watson featuring The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Concert Jazz Orchestra
The Gates BBQ Suite
www.bobbywatson.com
By George W. Harris

Alto saxist Bobby Watson has perennially been one of my favorite horn players, inexplicably overlooked by the jazz cognizenti. Here, he leads a BIG big band through a well arranged, if fairly anonymous selection of material. His own alto sounds lovely on “Heavy On The Sauce” and “One Minute Too Late,” while guitarist Nick Grinlinton isn’t too far behind on “Beef On Bun.” The sections on “May I Help You?” and “The President’s Tray” get a bit too clinical, but the percussive work keeps things a bit alive. A bit clinical for my tastes; put these guys on a bus for a few weeks, and try again!