Wondrous Watrous, et al

Beginning in the early 1960s and continuing today, jazz trombonist Bill Watrous has stunned the jazz music world with his artistry, technique, consistency, musicianship, and range. Last night in Temple, Texas at the Performing Arts center at Temple College, Bill Watrous and the Temple Jazz Orchestra performed to an energetic and appreciative audience of over 200. The first half of the concert featured the marvelous jazz band comprised of teachers and two students from all over the central Texas area. This outstanding group has existed for 16 years under the careful and inspiring leadership of Thomas Fairlie, Division Director of Fine Arts at Temple College since 1999. The band played with a flawless blend of pitch and rhythmic accuracy combined with expression and musical drama. Each individual approached the music carefully with absolute commitment to excellence.

Often in bands, the collective whole is greater than the sum of its parts; but in this case, the group's performance was a bold, comprehensive gathering of superior talent that found fruition in exciting, precise, and highly sophisticated jazz. The literature was an appropriate balance of old and new featuring various improvised and written out solos from across the band. One piece was composed by trumpet player, Sparky Thomason and one other work was arranged by pianist Benjamin Irom. The band (synonymous term with Jazz Orchestra in this instance) played with finesse, polish, and emotional energy throughout the difficult but endearing program.

The second half brought on stage the world renowned Bill Watrous who proceeded to play, as he has done throughout his illustrious career, with beauty and precision with a tone quality that can best be described as velvet, giving the audience an opportunity to bathe in its warm, gracious, and heart-felt sound. Watrous' ingratiating and professional mannerisms lent themselves to an environment that felt personal and home-like--as though we were all in his living room enjoying the music. In addition to his awe-inspiring trombone playing, he sang, he danced, he smiled, and mostly he demonstrated why he is one of and perhaps the greatest living jazz trombonist in history. Every piece shimmered with excitement and the band seemed to get stronger as the evening progressed. Bill Watrous' command of high and low range and the ease of slide motion resulted in wildly fascinating technical achievements that in retrospect seem almost impossible but which he made sound remarkably easy.

All in all, it was a special evening of music making by one of the premiere jazz ensembles in the state. Brownwood and Bangs were also well represented with the band director from Bangs playing saxophone and a Howard Payne student playing trombone. Since this is an auditioned only group, it speaks well for our community to have such talent in its midst. Everyone in attendance was treated to a musical meal and dessert worthy of the finest chefs in the country. Best wishes as they make their way to New York City for an appearance at the International Association of Jazz Education Conference.