One of our favorite albums ever cut under the leadership of trombonist Bill Watrous – a set that was part of a Japanese-only series that brought together some of the best players on the west coast scene at the end of the 70s! Watrous is maybe not as well-associated with the older LA jazz world as some of his associates on the set – who include the great Art Pepper on alto sax and Russ Freeman on piano – both of whom really open up in compelling ways next to Bill's trombone – especially Pepper, as he often wasn't recording with such a horn on his own albums of the time. The rest of the combo features Bob Magnusson on bass and Carl Burnett on drums – and the easygoing vibe of the record really makes for some well-shaped, well-blown notes from Watrous. Titles include "Funny Blues", "P Town", "For Art's Sake", "Begin The Beguine", "Angel Eyes", and "Just Friends". LP, Vinyl record album

Bill Berry on trumpet, Lew Tabackin on tenor saxophone and flute, Marshall Royal on alto saxophone and clarinet, Bill Watrous on trombone, Alan Broadbent and Dave Frishberg on piano, Mundell Lowe on guitar, Chuck Berghofer and Monty Budwig on bass, and Frank Capp and Nick Ceroli on drums. CD

Features Nick Brignola on baritone and soprano, Bill Watrous on trombone, Dwight Dickerson on piano, John Heard on bass, and Dick Berk on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

It's late in the career of Jackie & Roy, but the pair haven't faltered a bit! This set's a tight little straight ahead session with a larger group that includes Conte Candoli, Bill Watrous, Bill Perkins, and Bob Cooper, all of whom give the best tracks a swinging west coast groove. Titles include "Sleigh Ride In July", "Never In A Single Year", "Full Circle", and "Line For Lyons". (Vocalists, Jazz) LP, Vinyl record album

Featured soloists include Conte Candoli on flugelhorn, Pete Christlieb on tenor, Bill Watrous on trombone, Victor Feldman on Fender Rhodes, Ian Underwood on synthesizer, Tim May on guitar, Pete Jolly on piano, Tomy Newsom on tenor, Bud Shank on alto, Bob Hardaway on tenor, and Louis Bellson on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

A selection of tracks from the 5 CD box set The Holloywood All Star Sessions – late recordings by Pepper, made between the years 1979 and 1982, after he'd got his bag back together, and was really cutting a lot of fine fine sessions! The tracks were all recorded in Hollywood by James Mooney – and feature a range of players that includes Russ Freeman, Pete Jolly, Lee Konitz, Bill Watrous, Jack Sheldon, and other LA jazz luminaries who were still shining brightly at the time. Titles include "Begin The Beguine", "Bernie's Tune", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "My Funny Valentine", and "The Shadow Of Your Smile". CD

An unusual set of grooves from the farther reaches of the TK Records universe – a set of all-instrumental tracks from arranger Herb Pilhofer – best known as a sound library talent, but one who works here in a funky jazz style that's not unlike some of the material you'd find on Kudu Records at the time! There's some super-strong solo work on the record – from players who include Dick Oatts on alto, Bob Rockwell on soprano, Bill Watrous on trombone, and Randy Brecker on trumpet – all of whom make the record way more than just a set of grooves cooked up by some studio musicians – and Herb's arrangements really showcase a great understanding of color and tone along with the rhythms. Titles include "Don't You Worry Bout A Thing", "Olympus One", "Gooney Bird", "For A Ballad A Day", "101 In The Shade", and "Sweet Winds Of Change". CD

A nice collection that focuses on Rodney's initial run at Muse Records. Features Charles McPherson on alto, Bill Watrous on trombone, Roland Hanna on piano and keys, Roy Brooks on drums, and more! CD

With Bill Watrous on trombone, George Young on tenor and flute, Roland Hanna on piano and electric piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Titles include "For Dizzy", "I Can't Get Started", "Red Bird", "Red Tornado", "Nos Duis Ga Tarde", and "Red Blues". LP, Vinyl record album