Southern Jazz Music

Following the successful consolidation of the "Watters Brothers" recordings for Summit last year, Ken Watters has released a strong recording from his own group, the Ken Watters Group, with "Southern Exposure". This group has worked regularly with Ken allowing the rapport and trust between the individual members to continue to develop and grow to new levels. Certainly, some similarities with the earlier recordings remain - a mix of originals and re-arranged standards - but the differences are also there to be enjoyed. Most obvious is the addition of saxophonist Joel Frahm on some tracks (in lieu of Harry's trombone) and the inclusion of a number of reworked popular tunes which are heard to advantage for lovers of fine jazz.
On this CD, recorded earlier this year, Ken plays both trumpet (wide-bored) and also flugelhorn (on some tracks) He is joined by David Marlow, piano, Roy Yarborough, acoustic bass, and Jay Frederick on drums and percussion as well as special guest, Joel Frahm on saxophones. However, for many of the tunes selected is quite simply the sound of the subtle interplay between the individual members the working quartet that we are allowed to enjoy.
The recording begins with an exciting Latin-tinged arrangement, for acoustic instruments, of the Allman Brothers tune "Jessica" upon which Frahm appends a fine soprano sax solo over a strong Latin vamp from the rhythm section. Ken's original contemporary tune "Cooler On The Horizon" echoes the warm days of the Southern summers. Joni Mitchell's well know piece "Both Sides Now" becomes a contemporary ballad in the hands of the quartet, while "Stella By Starlight" takes on a new appeal with a fragmented, free-styled approach. This segues into a reflective treatment of Clare Fischer's "We'll Be Together Again" feauturing Ken on flugelhorn set against a sparse accompaniment from the rhythm section. Ken's strongly rhythmic and swinging original "April Third" produces a probing solo from Frahm on tenor as he negotiates the tune's harmonic structure. James Taylor's "Fire And Rain" serves as a lull before the group finally breaks out on Ken's rousing original tune, "Pathfinder" which develops slowly to bring the CD to a stong conclusion.
This is an excellent recording which confirms the promise of Ken's earlier CDs for Summit with his brother Harry. It contains a variety of styles and moods that have been shaped and defined by the consistency of a regularly working group. Highly recommended to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face.

After two recordings with trombonist brother Harry, Trumpeter Ken Watters brings his working quartet into the studio, where he produces his strongest musical statement yet. The previous Watters' offerings, Brothers (Summit 234) and Brothers II (Summit 266), made with brother Harry, revealed Ken Watters as a composer and arranger of great depth, breadth, and sense of humor. On these discs, Watters displayed his fearless musical vision by choosing unlikely standards to perform, such as "Everything's Alright" from Jesus Christ Superstar. Also revealed on these recordings is Ken Watters' perfectly round trumpet tone, soft and warm and seriously sensuous. His performances are super-fluid and effortless. The overall effect: refined, sophisticated music, delivered in and with the best of taste.

Southern Exposure accelerates Ken Watters' vision on Brothers and Brothers II into hyperspace, exploring more daring standards territory while showing Watters to be expanding his compositional horizon. David Marlow's jaunty piano opens the disc with the Allman Brothers Band's "Jessica". This beacon of 1970s Southern Rock is given a decidedly Latin personality. Marlow and Watters shine in solos, but it is saxophonist Joel Frahm who steals the show with a sizzling South-of-the-Border break that leaves the listener breathless. Habanero indeed. "Cooler on the Horizon" is a wistful ballad that sways with a humid Caribbean gentility. Jay Frederick's drumming is exceptional as is Roy Yarbrough's bass playing. And for course, Watters sets the tropical mood with his warm timbre. And this is just the front of the disc.

Watters' includes Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" in a mini-tribute to Southern California. Both songs are treated tenderly and surpass any of the unlikely standards Herbie Hancock included on his 1996 release, The New Standard (Verve 529584) with a grace and aplomb beyond description. Watters trumpet is again caressing and gentle without ever being sentimental or sloppy. The disc is rounded out with a full-throated "Stella by Starlight" and a pensive "We'll Be Together Again" plus two more originals. Expertly produced by veteran producer Johnny Sandlin (The Allman Brothers, Duane Allman), Southern Exposure offers a progressive mainstream break from the current jazz status quo. This is an unqualified fine disc that would be a worthy addition to any jazz fan's library. Now, go get it!

Ken Watters just gets better & better & better with everything he composes and performs. The jazz audience is in for some fine musical expressions on the newly released Ken Watters CD titled SOUTHERN EXPOSURE, an intricate, highly polished and entertaining collection of 8 straight-ahead, classic works of jazz.

From the time this CD starts to play, you realize you are in the presence of some very gifted musicians with a jazz message to share which is unique, imaginative, and truly creative! Selections include "Jessica," "Both Sides Now," "Stella By Starlight," "We'll Be Together Again," "Fire and Rain," and the following new compositions by Ken Watters: "Cooler On The Horizon," "April Third," and "Pathfinder." Each song in this collection is a beauty of a performance, flawless, and enjoyable jazz. A true listening experience that moves the senses.

Ken Watters is without a doubt one of the finest trumpet and flugelhorn performers in jazz today as well as one of the leading composers. Each solo performance is both impeccable and full of energy. As to the group, one would be hard pressed to find a more synergistic group with such imaginative work as revealed on this collection. David Marlow is a masterful pianist, and his style and approach is graceful as well as in-depth, each note a great sound expression. Roy Yarbrough on acoustic bass and Jay Fredericks on drums add further polish and class to the collection as does the saxophone work of Joel Frahm.

Ken Watters and his talented group of musicians add a whole new exciting dimension to the sounds of jazz with their style, approach, and joy of performances. The Ken Watters Group has a solid hit with their SOUTHERN EXPOSURE, a CD to be enjoyed often and anywhere!

Alex has such a wonderful technique. His music hits the core of peace and beauty, highlighting the wonderful sound that the guitar is capable of. AG weaves some mightly powerful magic. I highly recommend this treasure!

The earliest albums recorded by De Grassi are impressionistic in their compositional structure. This not only makes for some the worlds greatest finger-style guitar playing ever, but its a time in De Grassi's career that was fresh and inspired.

This album is absolutely beautiful and, its the best choice to own his earlier compositional approach....Its in my top 5. Prior to this recording was "Slow Circle" considered a masterpiece and in the same spirit. Either recording will NOT disapoint.

I also highly reccomend the WindHam Hill "Retropective" that does a great job of capturing this period of his career. His more recent effort, "The Water Garden" captures the "writing process" he used on his earlier recordings, such as "Southern Exposure".

Anyone of these albums will make you VERY happy and are all the most beautiful guitar music I have ever heard....

a. de grassi is such an amazing player, that when you hear his

solo recordings,...you stop hearing and start listening!

you cant lose with this CD, its a classic and recognized in the industry.

Play this CD at about 7:00 am with a fresh cup of coffee...you know what im talking about.

modern guitar impressionist,,,,

This record is a delight from start to finish. Needless to say, the performances are exemplary; Alex De Grassi has a wonderful technique. But what makes this record particularly valuable is its overall compositional strength. The music presented here is purposeful, intriguingly structured and absolutely entrancing. There is a stillness and purity at its core. The listener is drawn in almost hypnotically. Each piece seems to follow on naturally from the one before , and the overall impact is strangely cleansing and therapeutic. I hesitate to highlight particular tracks, but I find EMPTY ROOM a shatteringly beautiful experience. Just listen! This is a special record, a lovely work of art, a slice of perfection.

Alex has such a wonderful technique. His music hits the core of peace and beauty, highlighting the wonderful sound that the guitar is capable of. AG weaves some mightly powerful magic. I highly recommend this treasure!

The earliest albums recorded by De Grassi are impressionistic in their compositional structure. This not only makes for some the worlds greatest finger-style guitar playing ever, but its a time in De Grassi's career that was fresh and inspired.

This album is absolutely beautiful and, its the best choice to own his earlier compositional approach....Its in my top 5. Prior to this recording was "Slow Circle" considered a masterpiece and in the same spirit. Either recording will NOT disapoint.

I also highly reccomend the WindHam Hill "Retropective" that does a great job of capturing this period of his career. His more recent effort, "The Water Garden" captures the "writing process" he used on his earlier recordings, such as "Southern Exposure".

Anyone of these albums will make you VERY happy and are all the most beautiful guitar music I have ever heard....

a. de grassi is such an amazing player, that when you hear his

solo recordings,...you stop hearing and start listening!

you cant lose with this CD, its a classic and recognized in the industry.

Play this CD at about 7:00 am with a fresh cup of coffee...you know what im talking about.

modern guitar impressionist,,,,

This record is a delight from start to finish. Needless to say, the performances are exemplary; Alex De Grassi has a wonderful technique. But what makes this record particularly valuable is its overall compositional strength. The music presented here is purposeful, intriguingly structured and absolutely entrancing. There is a stillness and purity at its core. The listener is drawn in almost hypnotically. Each piece seems to follow on naturally from the one before , and the overall impact is strangely cleansing and therapeutic. I hesitate to highlight particular tracks, but I find EMPTY ROOM a shatteringly beautiful experience. Just listen! This is a special record, a lovely work of art, a slice of perfection.

This CD is teriffic bluegrass. James Price is, in my opinion, "AMONG THE BEST BLUEGRASS FIDDLE PLAYERS OF ALL TIME" and he does some really good singing on this CD as well.

While you can certainly buy music with better production (these songs were produced "on the spot" in sometimes less than ideal conditions),better musicianship and more competent vocals, you would be hard pressed to find a contemporary collection that is more heartfelt and stirring as the one offered here. This music embodies our past ~ the roots from which grew blues and bluegrass. The "artists" represented on this CD are just plain folks that learned their instruments and songs from family and friends,passed down from the preceding generations. When taken within the context of the collection each selection is a gem on its own. Among these gems, many have a rare and haunting beauty. You should buy this CD if you have even a passing interest in American roots music

Alan Lomax recorded these folk songs during the late 1950's in people's houses and in prisons. Incredible to have recordings of prisoners singing to the beat of their axe strokes as they work. Housework seems less mundane when doing it with this music on. Wide range of music represented here, but many of the songs in this volume are concerned with crime, especially murder, and prison life. Two (actually three) great versions of Po' Lazarus, and an interesting John Henry. I would have given it 5 stars except there's 1 track I hate and two others I don't care for. That leaves 14 great tracks.

Caught their live act at the 'Empty Glass' in Charleston, WV this summer and thought they were fantastic. Truely a group that enjoys the music they play and the people that enjoy what they do. Never heard of them before that night, but feel that they are my discovery of the the year - make them yours. Cyril penned some great tunes, great musicians all and Chris Carroll has 'the' voice. Looking foward to their next CD or live performance in my travels.

This is one of the best blues CDs I've heard in a long time. I can't stop playing it over and over again... Great songwriting and great performances, esp. by Lance and singer Johnny Neel.

Although this CD has been out a while, I just purchased it. WoW!
I was blown away. Johnny Zoot really rocks. I especially liked the note he sang on Cobwebs. The lyrics and feel makes me sad but that is a testament to the strong emotions which Jonathan Zoot summons from the bottom of his soul.
This band would have been one of the tops in the 40's and should be today with the fine musicianship and bass/vocal prowess of J. Zoot.
I have a small dentist practice in my town and have made my patients listen to this when they are tied in their chairs and they almost never complain.
Thanks Zoot people.

Excellent Musicianship! Music type is 40s' -90's. They can swing! Never have I heard two guitars, saxophonist, trumpeter, trombonist, pianist, and drummer along with a singer sound so good together! I would highly recommmend their CD to anyone from the 40's and today! So, If you want to Swing Til' You Drop then by all means purchase this CD! I have and I've thoroughly enjoyed it and can not wait until they put another one out!!!!! "THANKS" Zoot's & The Swingin' Suits / Miss Manhattan!

Thoroughly enjoyed the music of this southern swing group. Even though it is made up mostly with original music, the sound is genuine. Songs to really listen to are the title tune, Rat Face Rudy, G Man, and Kopesetic. I found the style and humor quite refreshing while being performed by talented musicians. This cd is a must for true lovers of swing.

I loved the cd,the cover was great, every song was great, but i have to admit I do have my favorites : ) GMAN is my favorite, then Swing Til Ya Drop and Kopesetic, and Miss Manhattan, love that one you did, It's Not Love! The jazz and blues are great! That guy in the yellow suit is not to bad either!

WOW.. this is great.. I loved it