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The Great American Songbook Harry Watters, trombone
Salt River Brass
Patrick Sheridan, Music Director
Having heard and experienced the amazing playing of Harry Watters on many occasions with the United States Army Brass Quintet and also as a soloist and a duettist, I couldn't wait to play Harry's latest CD, The Great American Songbook, which was passed to me by Patrick Sheridan on a recent visit I made to the USA. Actually I remember Harry and Patrick duetting a couple of years ago in Chicago - it was a fantastic experience for all who were there.
The various high class - or should I say world class - elements showing on this CD make its appeal pretty irresistible: a truly wonderful soloist in Harry Watters; Patrick Sheridan, tuba virtuoso, fantastic musician, brilliant band leader and music director; a phenomenal band in Salt River Brass, which Pat directs; and a host of star names who have provided the arrangements for the CD.
Harry performs in numerous capacities with the United States Army Band, the full Ceremonial Band, the Brass Quintet, the Jazz Band and the Concert Band. Many readers will know that Harry has numerous recordings to his name with Summit Records, but for this CD it is Soundset Recordings who have had the privilege of recording and producing The Great American Songbook.
So, into the laptop goes the CD and out come the most amazing sounds, the finest jazz trombone playing you can imagine. Thirteen classic American jazz tracks and from the first bars of the opening track to the closing bars of the final track this is the most fantastic jazz trombone playing. The arrangements have been made mainly by Patrick Sheridan and Sam Pilafian (all very classy indeed), with the exception of Laura by David Raskin which has been arranged by Dan Bukvich (another fine arrangement) and a truly brilliant arrangement of St. Louis Blues by Wycliffe Gordon. There's about a one minute intro before you hear the Blues in the form we know it and then with wonderful syncopation Harry takes it away!
All the way through the CD from the first track, You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To, to the final track, Happy (both Patrick Sheridan arrangements), Harry Watters thrills with his solo playing. It sounds totally effortless - his lyricism, the way he glides around the instrument - it really is a total joy to listen to and experience. Harry has to be one of the finest brass players - without doubt.
The band needs and must have a special mention. It's a very well oiled machine; the top end sounds like an Aston Martin, with the bottom end sounding like a gleaming and shiny juggernaut. Put the whole together with conductor and ace driver Patrick Sheridan and then you have the most tuned and immaculate limousine. The band itself is a joy to listen to. This CD - The Great American Songbook - is a must for any collector.
Philip Biggs. Brass Herald
Salt River Brass
Patrick Sheridan, Music Director
Having heard and experienced the amazing playing of Harry Watters on many occasions with the United States Army Brass Quintet and also as a soloist and a duettist, I couldn't wait to play Harry's latest CD, The Great American Songbook, which was passed to me by Patrick Sheridan on a recent visit I made to the USA. Actually I remember Harry and Patrick duetting a couple of years ago in Chicago - it was a fantastic experience for all who were there.
The various high class - or should I say world class - elements showing on this CD make its appeal pretty irresistible: a truly wonderful soloist in Harry Watters; Patrick Sheridan, tuba virtuoso, fantastic musician, brilliant band leader and music director; a phenomenal band in Salt River Brass, which Pat directs; and a host of star names who have provided the arrangements for the CD.
Harry performs in numerous capacities with the United States Army Band, the full Ceremonial Band, the Brass Quintet, the Jazz Band and the Concert Band. Many readers will know that Harry has numerous recordings to his name with Summit Records, but for this CD it is Soundset Recordings who have had the privilege of recording and producing The Great American Songbook.
So, into the laptop goes the CD and out come the most amazing sounds, the finest jazz trombone playing you can imagine. Thirteen classic American jazz tracks and from the first bars of the opening track to the closing bars of the final track this is the most fantastic jazz trombone playing. The arrangements have been made mainly by Patrick Sheridan and Sam Pilafian (all very classy indeed), with the exception of Laura by David Raskin which has been arranged by Dan Bukvich (another fine arrangement) and a truly brilliant arrangement of St. Louis Blues by Wycliffe Gordon. There's about a one minute intro before you hear the Blues in the form we know it and then with wonderful syncopation Harry takes it away!
All the way through the CD from the first track, You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To, to the final track, Happy (both Patrick Sheridan arrangements), Harry Watters thrills with his solo playing. It sounds totally effortless - his lyricism, the way he glides around the instrument - it really is a total joy to listen to and experience. Harry has to be one of the finest brass players - without doubt.
The band needs and must have a special mention. It's a very well oiled machine; the top end sounds like an Aston Martin, with the bottom end sounding like a gleaming and shiny juggernaut. Put the whole together with conductor and ace driver Patrick Sheridan and then you have the most tuned and immaculate limousine. The band itself is a joy to listen to. This CD - The Great American Songbook - is a must for any collector.
Philip Biggs. Brass Herald