Bill Watrous

Virtuosic trombonist Bill Watrous (1939-2018), grew up in Niantic, Connecticut, and took early inspiration from his father, who also played trombone. After spending his teenage years playing with jazz groups around CT, Watrous joined the Navy at 18. During this time period, Watrous studied with bebop pianist and composer Herbie Nichols. Though he grew musically under Nichols’ tutelage, Watrous’ career really took off in the 1960s. He played with jazz greats like Kai Winding, Chick Corea, and Milton Nascimento, and also had stints with the Dick Cavett Show band and the rock band Ten Wheel Drive. Watrous’ big moment came when influential producer John Hammond signed Watrous’ group Manhattan Wildlife Refuge. The band released two albums of high-energy fusion, which solidified Watrous as a top level bandleader and trombonist. When he moved west in 1977, Watrous became a sought-after session player, and played on the sound track for “Roots.” Over his nearly 5 decades long career, Watrous recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, and earned a reputation as one of the world’s best trombonists.