Bobby Watson • Back Home In Kansas City

 

Saxophonist/Composer Bobby Watson draws inspiration from the rich jazz heritage of his Kansas City hometown on his spirited album Back Home in Kansas City. It features an all-star quintet with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Victor Jones, with a guest appearance by singer Carmen Lundy.

As the title suggests, Back Home in Kansas City also pays homage to Watson’s hometown and its own rich musical heritage. The saxophonist grew up in KC, leaving to study at the University of Miami and then spending a quarter century making his name in New York City. He returned home in 2000 to serve as Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music & Dance, retiring 20 years later.

His retirement coinciding with the pandemic, Watson found himself with plenty of time to reflect on Kansas City’s importance to his distinctive sound and, gradually, to play for local audiences who helped attune his approach to the blend of soul and balladry that makes up this new album.

Throughout Back Home in Kansas City, Watson’s gift for telling stories with his saxophone is on vibrant display. “Being out here in Kansas City has given me a chance to slow down and go deeper into what I want to play,” he explains. “The Kansas City audience is a sophisticated audience because of the history of this town. We’ve got people out here who have heard a lot of music. So I’m not playing down to the audience, and I’m not trying to simplify anything. I’m simply coming out of what I feel in my heart and my soul.”
https://smokesessionsrecords.com/shop/albums/back-home-in-kansas-city/

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El saxofonista y compositor Bobby Watson se inspira en la rica herencia jazzística de su ciudad natal, Kansas City, en su animado álbum Back Home in Kansas City. Cuenta con un quinteto de estrellas formado por el trompetista Jeremy Pelt, el pianista Cyrus Chestnut, el bajista Curtis Lundy y el batería Victor Jones, con la participación de la cantante Carmen Lundy.

Como sugiere el título, Back Home in Kansas City también rinde homenaje a la ciudad natal de Watson y a su rica herencia musical. El saxofonista creció en Kansas City, de donde salió para estudiar en la Universidad de Miami y después pasó un cuarto de siglo haciéndose un nombre en Nueva York. Regresó a casa en 2000 para ejercer de Director de Estudios de Jazz en el Conservatorio de Música y Danza de la Universidad de Missouri-Kansas City, y se jubiló 20 años después.

Al coincidir su jubilación con la pandemia, Watson tuvo tiempo de sobra para reflexionar sobre la importancia de Kansas City para su sonido distintivo y, poco a poco, para tocar para el público local, que le ayudó a afinar su enfoque en la mezcla de soul y balada que compone este nuevo álbum.

A lo largo de Back Home in Kansas City, el don de Watson para contar historias con su saxofón se muestra vibrante. "Estar aquí en Kansas City me ha dado la oportunidad de bajar el ritmo y profundizar en lo que quiero tocar", explica. "El público de Kansas City es un público sofisticado por la historia de esta ciudad. Aquí hay gente que ha escuchado mucha música. Así que no trato de menospreciar al público ni de simplificar nada. Simplemente hago lo que siento en mi corazón y en mi alma".
https://smokesessionsrecords.com/shop/albums/back-home-in-kansas-city/


bobbywatson.com ...

Tracks:
1 - Back Home in Kansas City
2 - Red Bank Heist
3 - Our Love Remains (featuring Carmen Lundy)
4 - Bon Voyage
5 - The Star in the East
6 - Mind Wine
7 - Celestial
8 - Dear Lord
9 - Side Steps
10 - I’m Glad There Is You
11 - Blues for Alto


Credits
    Bobby Watson, alto saxophone, composer
    Jeremy Pelt, trumpet, composer
    Cyrus Chestnut, piano, composer
    Curtis Lundy, bass
    Victor Jones, drums, composer
    Carmen Lundy, vocals

2022

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