ERNIE WATTS: To The Point

Ernie Watts

To The Point

© 2008 Flying Dolphin Records (724101735929)

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Fire of the moment live jazz recording, soaring saxophone improvisation, airtight arrangements from the Ernie Watts Quartet

notes

Grammy Winning saxophonist Ernie Watts' life in music has led him to a certain point where he has realized who he is in relationsip to jazz, a "point of truth" that many people reach in their lives about that which matters to them most. All the other musicians here have reached that point as well, and this shows in the music, which was recorded at the famed Los Angeles music room, The Jazz Bakery. Most pieces are Watts' originals, with one classic "Hot House" by Tadd Dameron and one new original by pianist Jon Mayer "Nightscape." This quartet has nearly 20 years together. The clarity and beauty they create, added to the fire-of-the-moment recording live, brings this music to the perfect point.

reviews

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  • To the Point
    author: Bruce Friedman

    Ernie Watts continues to be one of the contemporary greats of straight ahead jazz saxophone. To use a sports axiom, he's one of the most underrated players on the scene today and deserves to be up there with all of the great players of today and yesterday. This disc is of a live performance. I've seen Ernie live many times and he's done a great job of capturing one of the outstanding events in jazz, an Ernie Watts live show. Ernie plays superbly as always and his veteran band of is right on it as well. This is a cd that belongs in everyone's jazz collection. I'm glad it's in mine!

  • Tenor Giant Smokes!
    author: Carl Morano

    Ernie Watts is one of the true giants of the saxophone and only one of a handful worthy of following in the footsteps of John Coltrane and Michael Brecker. Watts blows powerfully and masterly on this superb live recording! A truly important recording.

  • "To The Point" Ernie Watts Quartet
    author: Donald Bell

    I was fortunate enough to be in the audience for the third and final day of this live recording project from The Ernie Watts Quartet! My nephew Doug from San Diego was with me and we have been anxiously awaiting this release! Well, good things are worth waiting for because all of the artistry, musicianship, beauty in the compositions as well as the unity of the performers in this live set came out just as we remembered! Right from Ernie's happening solo tenor intro on the opening tune, "Hot House", right through the beautiful "Season of Change", the very stylish Michael Brecker tribute, "For Michael", the exciting title cut, "To The Point", to the closer, "Reaching Up", this album is a gem and I believe Ernie and the group's finest playing to date! The playing here is dynamic throughout! Ernie states in his introductory statement that "This is our Point of Truth", "This is who we are", "This is as good as we get". Well, Ernie's "Good as we get" is greatness and by recording this greatness in a live setting has produced one of the finest jazz recordings to come out in some time! And I would say this even if I wasn't in the audience! Congratulations, Ernie,on making this record, congratulations to your recording company and production company for doing such an excellent job with this project! Keep up the great work! I anxiously await more from The Ernie Watts Quartet! Don Bell Stroudsburg, Pa

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