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Bill Watrous
Bill Watrous

The National Museum of American History has designated April as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). So in the spirit of JAM, Hamilton’s Fillius Jazz Archive is featuring one artist daily on the news site along with that individual’s archived audio interview. Today’s featured artist is Bill Watrous.

Trombonist Bill Watrous was born in Middletown, Conn., on June 8, 1939. Early playing experience included work with local Dixieland bands and study with Herbie Nichols during his military service.

Watrous worked in Kai Winding’s group from 1962-67 and freelanced around New York with Quincy Jones and Maynard Ferguson, and as a member of The Merv Griffin Show band. He led the Manhattan Wildlife Refuge big band in the mid-70’s and later moved to the west coast where he continued to perform in jazz settings and in the film studios.

His prodigious technique and musicality has made him the leading trombonist of his generation and he frequently shares his expertise in educational settings across the country.

Watrous was interviewed in Clinton, N.Y., on March 26, 1999, by Monk Rowe, the Joe Williams Director of the Jazz Archive.

To listen to the audio recording of the interview, click here and choose “audio” in the column on the right.

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