Cherokee – 2008
Bill Watrous
A showcase for the trombonist with the U.S. Army Blues
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Bill Watrous (1939-2018) was one of the greatest jazz trombonists of all time, able to play rapid lines without a moment’s hesitation and possess a beautiful tone on his instrument.
Watrous tended to be underrated a bit in his later years because he primarily worked in Southern California rather than New York, but he always ranked near the top.
Proof of his mastery can be seen and heard on this version of “Cherokee,” a Rob Stonebeck arrangement that he performed with the U.S. Army Blues orchestra in 2008.
Watrous plays speedy double-time passages with apparently little effort while joined by a top-notch band that includes a fine tenor-saxophone solo.
– Scott Yanow
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