Bill Watrous with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble at the Temple Jazz Festival, Fri. 3/27/09

Front and center for Friday night’s performances was the Temple College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Benjamin Irom. Special guest for the evening was trombonist Bill Watrous, who in addition to his mellifluous playing, entertained the crowd in his laid-back style with humorous anecdotes. The highlight of the evening was one particular story where he took the slide off of his trombone and waved it around, then put it back on and sang into the bell end of his instrument.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

Set list:

1. “Blues for Poland” (Tony Klatka) -- The evening opened with this Woody Herman swing tune.

2. “Aha” (Bob Mintzer) -- This be-bop style tune featured a duet and trade off between Jeremy Ledoux on tenor sax and Keith Frasier on trombone.

3. “Days of Wine and Roses” (Mancini, arr. Tom Kubis) -- Bill Watrous made his first appearance of the evening and soloed on this popular tune from the 60s. Nestor Rios played a tenor sax solo.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

4. “Your Sister’s Samba” (Frank Mantooth) -- The TC Ensemble wrapped up the first half (sans Watrous) with this Frank Mantooth number during with several band members soloed.

-intermission-

5. “Three And One” (Thad Jones) -- After an intermission Mr. Watrous took over emcee duties and soloed on all of the numbers, beginning with this swing tune for which Eric Treviño played bari sax solo and Jonathan Wisinski a bass solo.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

6. “A Time for Love” (Johnny Mandel, arr. Sammy Nestico) -- Another tune made famous by Woody Herman, this one slow and romantic. Watrous played the melody and soloed over a soft backing band with muted horns.

7. “When You’re Smiling” (Shay, Goodwin & Fisher, arr. Kubis) -- Watrous began with a funny anecdote then traded his trombone for a microphone and sang on this 1920s standard.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday

8. Blue Bossa (Kenny Dorham, arr. Kubis) -- Several musicians in the ensemble traded off solos with Watrous on this quick little 4/4 favorite.

9. Just Friends (John Klenner, arr. Kubis) -- Eddie Mora played a guitar solo on this standard.

10. On Purple Porpoise Parkway (Kubis)

11. Village Dance (Kubis) -- The evening concluded with this upbeat number that Watrous recorded on his 1995 album “Space Available.“ Vincent Limón also played a soprano sax solo.


Temple College Jazz Ensemble Personnel:
Saxophones: Vincent Limón (Austin), TeAda Short (Plainview), Jeremy Ledoux (Harker Heights), Nestor Rios (Cameron), Ben Straver (Georgetown)

Trumpets: Alonzo Ellison (Cameron), Eric Treviño ((Temple), Kenneth Marina (Copperas cove), Matthew Sennett (Georgetown)

Trombones: Keith Fraser (Temple), Andre Koumanidis (Copperas Cove), Phillip Troy (Temple), Jacob Bridges (Belton)

Guitar: Eddie Mora (Cameron)

Piano: Ajay Narayanan (Temple)

Bass: Jonathan Wisinski (Temple)

Drums: Chris McBride (Temple)

Bill Watrous' web site:
www.billwatrous.com

Link to more pictures from Friday night:

200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Friday