Home Light

This is the first recording I have heard of saxophonist Ernie Watts with his European quartet. After listening, I quickly ordered the only other CD by this group that I could find online. I have been a fan of Watts going back to his time in Charlie Haden's Quartet West in the 1980's. This session contains some of the most adventurous playing I have heard from Watts on record. In fact, although this is a studio session, there is almost a live vibe to this music. Watts and his group never lose their way, however, and the music is always coherent. The rhythm section, composed of European musicians I was not previously familiar with, is terrific, both collectively and individually. It is not hard to understand why Watts travels to Germany once a year to perform with them. Highly recommended.

Two-time Grammy Award winner Ernie Watts is one of the most versatile and prolific saxophone players in music. It has been more than fifty years since he first picked up a saxophone, and from age sixteen on he has been playing professionally, initially while still attending school. Watts has been featured on over 500 recordings by artists ranging from Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa, always exhibiting his unforgettable trademark sound. In 2014, Watts received the prestigious Frankfurt Music Prize given by the city of Frankfurt, Germany. It is presented to both classical and non-classical musicians.The quartet is smooth and polished and the repertoire has a taste of all the best things jazz does for us. Ernie makes the sax sing so the sound is very personal and lilting.The ensemble is Ernie Watts – saxophone, Christof Saenger – piano, Rudi Engel – Bass, and Heinrich Koebberling – drums.The tracks are I Forgot August, Café Central 2AM, Distant Friends, Frequie Flyiers, Horizon, O.P., Spinning Wheel, Joe, and Home Light.A fine listening experience beginning to end. Grady Harp, December 18