The cover says Art Pepper, but the record's 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". CD also features two bonus alternate takes! CD

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

Great old school sounds from Quincy Jones – the kind of smoking big band album we'd know from his early years on ABC or Mercury Records! The Q's done many great things in the years since those albums – including great work in the soul music and soundtrack fields – but it's great to know he can still turn out a jazz cooker like this when he wants – thanks in part to great help as a co-leader from reedman Sammy Nestico! The horns are totally tight – that great old Quincy way of coming on strong, then letting individual voices break out of the pack – and players include Ernie Watts, Gerald Albright, and Gary Foster on saxes; Oscar Brashear and Wane Bergeron on trumpets; George Bohannon and Bill Watrous on trombones – all great players who really make the record kick. The set also features guest solo work by Hubert Laws on flute, and Kirk Whalum on tenor and soprano sax – and Emil Richards even turns in a bit of vibes, too. Titles include "Grace", "Jelly Roll", "The Joy Of Cookin", "Ya Gotta Try Harder", "Lisett", and "No Time Like The Present". CD

Featuers Dave Pell on tenor sax, Med Lorly on baritone sax, Bill Watrous on trombone, Bill Berry on trumpet, Bob Florence on piano, Frank Capp on drums, Buddy Clark on bass, and Tony Rizzi on guitar. CD

The first US collection of albums that were originally issued only overseas – a series of sessions that bring Art Pepper together with some jazz heroes of his early years, plus surprising guests like Sonny Stitt, Bill Watrous, and Lee Konitz! CD

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

Japanese collection of albums that were originally issued only overseas – a series of sessions that bring Art Pepper together with some jazz heroes of his early years, plus surprising guests like Sonny Stitt, Bill Watrous, and Lee Konitz! CD

Woody recorded on 2 coasts – in New York and San Francisco – with smaller than usual groups of hip players that include Dusko Goykovich, Don Rader, Sal Nistico, Steve Marcus, and Bill Watrous. Woody himself plays soprano and alto sax in addition to his usual clarinet – and the set's got some hip numbers like "Cousins", "The Preacher", "Free Again", and "Waltz For A Hung-Up Ballet Mistress". LP, Vinyl record album