Retrospective 1974, with an album from a half-century ago… (Friday 50s 😁) A Black Friday bonus includes a 2014 and 2024 album as well.
"Manhattan Wildlife Refuge and its follow-up, The Tiger of San Pedro, are the only two recordings of trombonist Bill Watrous' impressive big band of the mid-'70s." Scott Yanow/Allmusic. Album Discogs.
Trombonist/composer/arranger Bill Watrous was active in New York in the 60s - 70s, with a stint for the Merv Griffin Show and CBS. He moved to Los Angeles in the 80s, and continued to play on occasional small and big band albums to go with steady studio-work. Sam Houston State University (Texas) renamed its 66-year running jazz festival the SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival 14 years ago, with an early April date. Bill's Discogs ; Allmusic.
Bill Watrous, Manhattan Wildlife Refuge, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
This is on the Jazz Best Albums 1974 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.
Bill is featured on several Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra (GUJO) albums. Here's Bill's last big band recorded performance, from 2014.
Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra, A Beautiful Friendship, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
The YouTube link above includes the 2024 album
Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra, Flying Colors, so here's the Spotify link also.
"Pianist Gary Urwin leads a swinging big band through some clever charts and rich solos brought on by an A-list of guests including the late Carl Saunders/tp, Wayne Bergeron/tp, Pete Christlieb/ts." George Harris/JazzWeekly. GUJO Discogs
This is on the Big Band 2024 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎
