Ernie Watts Quartet - Oasis (2011)

A dictionary definition of "Oasis" cites: "something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from that which is usual, annoying, or difficult." In our modern world, all three of these last-mentioned can be frequent. For Ernie Watts, music has been an oasis his whole life. One way he immerses himself in this oasis is by using his spirit, his heart, and his deep knowledge of jazz to write music. Another is of course to play his horn, in wordless conversation with other musicians or communing with just his instrument alone in a room (which often produces new music from him.) This album contains music from many sources; three compositions from Watts, one each from Christof Saenger and Heinrich Koebberling, a bebop classic from Bird and Dizzy, a ballad from Johnny Mandel and Dave Frishberg, another from Joe Sample and Will Jennings. There is a Lennon/McCartney tune, and Ernie’s major inspiration John Coltrane has a composition here too--Trane’s music was the Watts entry into the Oasis of Jazz. Whether you need refuge, or simply joy, here is an Oasis for you. ~ erniewatts.com. 

Flying Dolphin Records, FD 1008, 2011
Recorded 18th-19th April, 2011 at Topaz Studios, Cologne, Germany 

Musicians:
Ernie Watts - Tenor Saxophone
Christof Saenger - Piano
Rudi Engel - Bass
Heinrich Koebberling - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Konbanwa {Heinrich Kobberling} (7:19)
02. Oasis {Jeremy Monteiro, Ernie Watts} (11:03)
03. One Day I'll Fly {Will Jennings, Joe Sample} (6:22)
04. Blackbird {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:18)
05. Palmito {Christof Saenger} (5:20)
06. Crescent {John Сoltrane} (9:42)
07. Twilight Waltz {Jeremy Monteiro, Ernie Watts} (7:33)
08. Bass Geige "bahss guy-geh" {Ernie Watts} (6:55)
09. You Are There {Dave Frishberg, Johnny Mandel} (5:19)
10. Shaw Nuff {Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker} (6:26) 

Total Time: 73:18 

Credits:
Producer - Ernie Watts
Recording Engineer - Reinhardt Kobialka
Mixing & Mastering - Paul Tavenner 

Oasis

Ernie Watts Quartet - Analog Man (2007)

For veteran California saxophonist Ernie Watts, here is another example of why he is one of the finest exponents of modern jazz going. This CD is one in a long line, pre-and-post his work with Charlie Haden's Quartet West, that identifies him as an individualist. Since his sound on tenor so closely mirrors Michael Brecker's, and they are peers, the question will always be -- who came first, and who influenced who? Clearly John Coltrane's muse is extant in both, and they have developed personal voices. Analog Man succeeds on different levels. François Moutin's "Clinton Parkview" is a fresh neo-bop piece with effortless, attractive rhythm changes. On soprano sax, of which Watts is an underrated giant, he displays flawless tone, technique, and unlimited sweetness on the modal "Paseando." The California band of Watts, not well-known names nationally, acquit themselves well during the date, especially pianist Christof Saenger, who penned "Paseando." "Gee Baby," one of five Watts originals, shows a blues-jazz sensibility, the band swings hard on the Miles Davis/Victor Feldman hard bopper "Joshua," and he is masterful on the "My Special Angel" flavored ballad "Company." The first two tracks are really long, and may not have been the best lead-off numbers. The "Killer Joe" like easy swinging title track and Brecker-ish neo-bopper "Elements" could have been programmed later in the disc. It is a strong effort, not his best, but adds to the remarkable consistency Watts has enjoyed over his four-decade career, and continues to maintain. This CD won the Independent Music Awards Best Jazz CD for 2007. ~ by Michael G. Nastos, AMG. 

Flying Dolphin Records, FD 1005, 2007
Recorded 13th & 14th November, 2006 at Topaz Studio, Cologne, Germany 

Musicians:
Ernie Watts - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Christof Säenger - Piano
Rudi Engel - Acoustic Bass
Heinrich Köbberling - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Analog Man {Ernie Watts} (11:15)
2. Elements {Ernie Watts, David Witham} (10:33)
3. Paseando {Christof Säenger} (6:45)
4. Clinton Parkview {François Moutin} (6:59)
5. Company {Alfred Johnson, Rickie Lee Jones} (5:37)
6. Joshua {Victor Feldman} (10:05)
7. A Lilac Grows {Ernie Watts, David Witham} (9:44)
8. Gee Baby {Ernie Watts} (6:26)
9. Morning Prayer {Ernie Watts} (2:58) 

Total Time: 70:23 

Credits:
Producer - Ernie Watts
Recording Engineer - Reinhard Kobialka
Mixing & Mastering - Paul Tavenner 

Analog Man