I was a trombone player in high school and this man inspired me so much. Sadly the trombone doesn't get the praise of majesty it deserves but man can it play.
I graduated 2006. I played trumpet and Baritone for 7 years and switched to Trombone my senior year. Never could read Bass Clef I just memorized every slide position my buddy wrote for me. I got a scholarship to a University playing Trombone. Bill made me want to play. My audition was playing Spain, and no not anywhere the level of Sir Watrous.
Sadly, after a long illness, Bill Watrous passed away on July 2nd 2018 he was 79. To me and many thousands of followers, Bill was the epitome of all trombone players. His beautiful sound, amazing range, and technique and unsurpassable style will continue to influence many trombone players for many years to come.
I had a lesson with Bill and it happened to be just after he had been in the studio recording this tune for his next album. He played the background master for me and was like a little kid delighting in the beautiful strings, key changes, etc. What a privilege to observe firsthand what really got him excited. It made him a bit more human to me. He said he was getting ready to go on a fishing trip with James Pankow (Chicago). Wouldn’t you love to have eavesdropped on those conversations?!
Bill Watrous...rest his soul...was the absolute master of the ballad. His sense of phrasing and melodic brilliance was unsurpassed in the trombone world. In fact this guy was fantastic on any thing he played. I know a little something about this because I played trombone for over 40 years.
My first Trombone clinic was in the late 70s with Bill. I didn’t understand the significance of the event at the time and I will always remember it. RIP
He was my favourite trombone player, I met him several times when he came to England, and I had a small part in the LP Watrous In London. I will miss him.
great silky-smooth,and easy so easy super sound with seemingly no effort....what a legacy of sweet, savory ear candy we inherit with our listening ears....Amen and Amen.
Rest in peace Bill and thanks for the classy slide ride for so many wonderful years. You will always be here with us through your great musical gift and gifts.
Bill Watrous, in my humble opinion, was the consummate trombone player. I was blessed to have been able to see him perform (after which I wanted to throw my trombone in the nearest river). He played so effortlessly, which truly amazed me. I first saw him (on TV) as a young bone player in the Mort Lindsey Orchestra on the Merv Griffin Show. Many people had the feeling that greatness was in his grasp - and he certainly proved it! What a class act! Bill, R.I.P.
Truly, he will be missed! Wonderful person, incredible tone, musicality, mastery of his instrument, but most of all, his love of life and how he shared it with all musicians he encountered with. RIP Bill!
Truly and wonderfully awesome, so superbly controlled, delicately articulated and sensitively delivered. Flawless performance. What a guy and what an inspiration to all musicians. The Best.
I used to play along with this song but as a duet since the Natalie Cole version with Nat was out at about the same time, and I can't remember how many months it took to get the solo down. He was certainly one of the best trombonists that has picked one up, and definitely the best ballad player. Here is hoping he, Kai, and JJ are making music together again.
I agree with Leslie's comment. Of all the trombonist's out there..... Glenn Miller, Trummy Young, Carl Fontana, Urbie Green.... To name a few. They are all great, but Bill Watrous had a sound and style that no one can compare to.
He plays a beautiful ballad; very inventive and melodic improvisation as well. I don't know who plays a better ballad on trombone. Dick Nash is also wonderful.
Thom Gambino: I had the honor of performing with Bill Watrous’s Manhattan Wildlife Refuge big band from 1973-’74. I left the band to start my road gig with the Joffrey Ballet. Bill’s first album (Tiger of San Pedro) was recorded shortly afterward. Bill died a few years ago. He was a great person & musician.
The most beautiful sound I ever heard on the t'bone, particularly his first album As long as Bill kept his bell from being swallowed by the mike, nobody could touch his beautiful and unique sound. In my opinion, the all round greatest trombone player of all,
I have seen him several times when he has been in London, I had a small part to play in his recording Live In London, a fantastic player, and a great man.
... yes, it was the 27.09. - September 28th, 2015 when I saw and listened to the legendary trombonist Bill Watrous here in Germany (Bavaria - Franconia - Nuremberg) with the local sundaynightorchestra. Even then he was already very weak on the jazz stage with 150 banned listeners. He was present and concentrated and a professional, although at the time it was noticed that he was overwhelming himself personally and he was not sparing, even though he gave 10 concerts during the university trip with workshops in different federal states. A German music teacher had organized this difficult, which turned out to be difficult since Bill had no internet and was first found through the University of Southern California, which then contacted his wife after months and was reachable by phone. The concert here in Nuremberg was a special experience for me, even well into the 50s, since it last appeared in Germany in 1992 and also produced recordings back then and before (legendary: Trombone Summit 1980 with B. Watrous; K. Winding; A. Mangelsdorff J. Wiggham). I was actually scared of his condition. Well, I wasn't like that. Hardly any space on the small stage and it was not particularly stable. Even I as a trombonist and my father as a radio musician were just over 60 years old on the physical front. But he was over 75. At that time I thought: all respect, but you have to do that physically with a reduced style of play at this age (he only improvised in the high registers between the first and second moves, without melody). Or did he want this. Being a musician and still in demand as a legend in old age is not easy when your physical condition plays a trick on you. My father had stopped at 58. He could also afford it financially in Germany, with his better social systems in old age. Unfortunately I got the departure of Bill W: FIRST TODAY. My father, as a trombonist, died two years before his 60th birthday. So Bill had done it right in his sense, to play until he left the stage when he wanted ... (in DEUTSCH)..ja, es war der 27.09. - 28. September 2015 als ich den legendären Posaunisten Bill Watrous hier in Deutschland (Bayern - Franken - Nürnberg) mit dem hiesigen sundaynightorchestra sah und lauschte. Schon damals war er schon sehr geschwächt stehend auf der Jazzbühne bei 150 gebannten Zuhörern. Er war präsent und konzentriert und ein Profi, obwohl man ihm damals anmerkte dass er sich persönlich überforderte und er sich nicht schonte, obwohl er 10 Konzerte innerhalb der Hochschul-Reise mit Workshops in verschieden Bundesländern gab. Ein deutscher Musiklehrer hatte dies beschwerlich organisiert, was sich als schwierig erwies, da Bill kein Internet hatte und erst über die University of Southern California ausfindig gemacht wurde, die dann mit seiner Frau nach Monaten kontakten und telefonisch erreichbar wurde. Das Konzert hier in Nürnberg war für mich, auch schon selbst weit in den 50er ein besonderes Erlebnis, da er ja das letzte Mal 1992 in Deutschland auftrat und auch schon damals und bereits vorher Schallplattenaufnahmen produzierte (legendär: Trombone Summit 1980 mit B. Watrous; K. Winding; A. Mangelsdorff J. Wiggham). Eigentlich war ich war erschrocken über seine Verfassung. Nun, so gesehen war ich es nicht. Kaum Platz auf der kleinen Bühne und standfest war er nicht besonders. Selbst ich als Posaunist und auch schon mein Vater als Rundfunkmusiker waren leicht über 60 Jahren körperlich an der Grenze. Aber er war über 75. Ich dachte mir damals: allen Respekt, aber MUSS man in dem Alter sich dass körperlich antun mit reduzierter Spielweise (er improvisierte nur in den hohen Lagen zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Zug, ohne Melodie). Oder wollte er dies. Musiker zu sein und noch gefragt als Legende im hohen Alter ist nicht einfach, wenn die körperlichen Befindlichkeiten einem einen Streich spielen. Mein Vater hatte mit 58 aufgehört. Er konnte sich das auch finanziell leisten in Deutschland, mit seinen besseren Sozialsystemen im Alter. Leider habe ich den Weggang von Bill W: ERST HEUTE MITBEKOMMEN. Mein Vater als Posaunist starb bereits zwei Jahre vor seinem 60. Geburtstag. Somit hatte Bill es in seinem Sinne doch richtig gemacht, solange zu spielen, bis er von der Bühne abging, wann er wollte …
Bill Watrous was my favorite Trombone Teacher's Teacher. I never had the pleasure of meeting him myself but the stories he would tell about Mr. Watrous were insane to say the least lol. apparently he was known for being a little crazy and a bit of a prankster
Despite this having been recorded well past his prime as a player, and with the cheesy synth strings added, I'm not sure Bill or anyone else has ever taken a more beautifully melodic cut at this tune. And the same goes for the other two ballads on this album.
musicloverdavid je pensais pouvoir jouer comme ça , moi aussi , un jour....et j'y suis enfin arrivé .....à 77 ans !!! Le principal , c'est que J'AI REUSSI.......
How do you play so beautifully in a trombone.. I used to always debate trumpeters to Trombonists.. Coz they had 3 keys.. N a Trombonist only a pulley to get his tune out.. I believe this is an instrument I need to understand.
Too much! Just too much - as Conte Candoli used to say when confronted by a solo by Zeus! The Gods descend from the mountain tops - we are all in the gutter - but Bill stays aloft - gazing at the stars! Is there life beyond the stars? As Ptolemy wrote in the Almagest: "I know I am mortal by nature, and ephemeral ; but when I trace at my pleasure, the windings of heavenly bodies, I no longer touch the Earth with my feet; I stand in the presence of Zeus himself and take my fill of ambrosia."
Daniel Cropp I have always been amazed give respect for his way of being himself and he won't give two shots about your criticism of vanity he wasn't going to do anything for anyone unless it was related to the passion driving him being music and baseball. I'm glad you took away such deep emotion from his music
Chuck - I took lessons from Bill from 1977 - 1982 while attending CSUN and after. We spoke about religion occasionally. He definitely was a believer but also a very private person in that regard.
I used to follow him around when I first started to play. He played into my face quite a few times during the late 70's, in and around New York City. No sound, but a real swinging cat, with chops from another planet. That's the only thing that bugged me, was the microphone halfway up the bell. Seems to me that you can only sound as good as the microphone says you do. I prefer to hear a roomful of sound that the microphone can pick up, but that's just me.
He played that way because he chose to. It lets you hear all the subtlety he put into his playing. I heard him in a class room in 75 with no mic and he sounded the same. 12 years ago I saw him in an acoustically crappy meeting room used as a concert room. he sounded great with and withpout the mic. It's BS that he had no power. He was a successful studio and road band cat because he wasn't one dimensional.
@@slipbone He had the most naturally beautiful sound of anybody, listen to his first album "In Love Again from 1968, and was probably technically the greatest trombone player who ever lived. Why Bill chose through most of his career to play with the mike too close to his bell, particularly on live performances, I will never understand. It distorted his sound and made it sound like he was playing under water.Just my opinion.
I was a trombone player in high school and this man inspired me so much. Sadly the trombone doesn't get the praise of majesty it deserves but man can it play.
I graduated 2006. I played trumpet and Baritone for 7 years and switched to Trombone my senior year. Never could read Bass Clef I just memorized every slide position my buddy wrote for me. I got a scholarship to a University playing Trombone. Bill made me want to play. My audition was playing Spain, and no not anywhere the level of Sir Watrous.
Possibly the greatist trombone player who ever lived. When he didn't have the mike too deep into his bell, Bill's sound was pure beauty.
Sadly, after a long illness, Bill Watrous passed away on July 2nd 2018 he was 79. To me and many thousands of followers, Bill was the epitome of all trombone players. His beautiful sound, amazing range, and technique and unsurpassable style will continue to influence many trombone players for many years to come.
im Sorry to hear this. I met him in 2012 when assigned to the Army school of music. Solid player!
Leslie Weddell what was the illness he had?
RIP Bill
@@darkpillowz he had cancer.
@@rafaelhemphill9258 no offense but I think solid player is an understatement. He is unsurpassed on the horn. There will never be anyone like him.
I had a lesson with Bill and it happened to be just after he had been in the studio recording this tune for his next album. He played the background master for me and was like a little kid delighting in the beautiful strings, key changes, etc.
What a privilege to observe firsthand what really got him excited. It made him a bit more human to me.
He said he was getting ready to go on a fishing trip with James Pankow (Chicago). Wouldn’t you love to have eavesdropped on those conversations?!
The title of the song says it all, truly an unforgettable legend among trombone and Jazz musicians. Rest easy Bill.
I met him in the late 80's - early 90's...
is one the highlights of my life... a wonderful man and fabulous player!!
Bill Watrous...rest his soul...was the absolute master of the ballad. His sense of phrasing and melodic brilliance was unsurpassed in the trombone world. In fact this guy was fantastic on any thing he played. I know a little something about this because I played trombone for over 40 years.
We miss you Bill. You are loved and not forgotten. 😎
My first Trombone clinic was in the late 70s with Bill. I didn’t understand the significance of the event at the time and I will always remember it. RIP
He was my favourite trombone player, I met him several times when he came to England, and I had a small part in the LP Watrous In London. I will miss him.
RIP one of the greatest of all time
NO ONE plays ballad like Bill. I`ve been trying to release my "inner Watrous" for years
great silky-smooth,and easy so easy super sound with seemingly no effort....what a legacy
of sweet, savory ear candy we inherit with our listening ears....Amen and Amen.
His tone is just... beautiful.
Rest in peace Bill and thanks for the classy slide ride for so many wonderful years. You will always be here with us through your great musical gift and gifts.
How beautiful! Can't stop the tears listening to this! Rest in peace Bill!
:(
This is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. Was sorry to hear he passed away. will miss him. Carole
Bill Watrous, in my humble opinion, was the consummate trombone player. I was blessed to have been able to see him perform (after which I wanted to throw my trombone in the nearest river). He played so effortlessly, which truly amazed me. I first saw him (on TV) as a young bone player in the Mort Lindsey Orchestra on the Merv Griffin Show. Many people had the feeling that greatness was in his grasp - and he certainly proved it! What a class act! Bill, R.I.P.
I keep finding myself coming back to this recording. Rest in peace Bill.
Truly, he will be missed! Wonderful person, incredible tone, musicality, mastery of his instrument, but most of all, his love of life and how he shared it with all musicians he encountered with. RIP Bill!
RIP Bill. You will be missed! Will be hard to replace!
Truly and wonderfully awesome, so superbly controlled, delicately articulated and sensitively delivered. Flawless performance. What a guy and what an inspiration to all musicians. The Best.
De man just plays beautifully effortlessly
I used to play along with this song but as a duet since the Natalie Cole version with Nat was out at about the same time, and I can't remember how many months it took to get the solo down. He was certainly one of the best trombonists that has picked one up, and definitely the best ballad player. Here is hoping he, Kai, and JJ are making music together again.
R.I.P may you continue playing absolute heavenly pieces in heaven
I agree with Leslie's comment. Of all the trombonist's out there..... Glenn Miller, Trummy Young, Carl Fontana, Urbie Green.... To name a few. They are all great, but Bill Watrous had a sound and style that no one can compare to.
not to forget Jack Teegarden
@@pererlingsvendsen3539 Nor Si Zentner, who put more air through the horn than anyone.
Vick Dickenson, Bill Harris, Eduardo Manenti
I disagree...J.J. Johnson is my first choice!
@@rboyd319 J J Johnson is definitely one of the greats!!!
Just effortless. This man is truly front another planet! (-:
RIP Bill, what a player. This was amazing.
I don't think anyone ever played a better trombone since the earth was formed.
utterly stunned and saddened to learn Bill Watrous died three days ago. July 2, 2018
He played at my high school in Kirkwood, MO, in 1977. Fourth Floor Walk-Up is still my favorite chart. . .
RIP Bill Watrous - what a legacy
He plays a beautiful ballad; very inventive and melodic improvisation as well. I don't know who plays a better ballad on trombone. Dick Nash is also wonderful.
He inspired so many. May his music continue to bless the world to the end of ages. Rest in Peace.
I could listen to this for hours! I’m not even a brass player!
Eric Lundquist his sound is like no other
I loved his playing, I saw him in the UK many times sad that he has passed, more of his music should be issued on CD.
Thom Gambino: I had the honor of performing with Bill Watrous’s Manhattan Wildlife Refuge big band from 1973-’74. I left the band to start my road gig with the Joffrey Ballet. Bill’s first album (Tiger of San Pedro) was recorded shortly afterward. Bill died a few years ago. He was a great person & musician.
he is the balladeer on any instrument I have ever heard. and that includes
urbie green
I know we all have to die sometime but Bill Watrous was taken from us to soon. RIP Bill
The most beautiful sound I ever heard on the t'bone, particularly his first album
As long as Bill kept his bell from being swallowed by the mike, nobody could touch his beautiful and unique sound. In my opinion, the all round greatest trombone player of all,
Nice!!! Very impressive.. Nice and beautiful sound of trombone..
I was fortunate to know Bill. I used to repair his beloved Mercedes in the 90s. Great man. I fell out of touch with him after 2002. RIP my old friend.
We miss you,sir.
This is really unforgettable
What a tone!!! Superb!
I have seen him several times when he has been in London, I had a small part to play in his recording Live In London, a fantastic player, and a great man.
hartnell1000 Pizza Express gig. I was there truly amazing night.
Rip Bill, you are unforgettable
Very smooth my brother! R.I.P Bill!
... yes, it was the 27.09. - September 28th, 2015 when I saw and listened to the legendary trombonist Bill Watrous here in Germany (Bavaria - Franconia - Nuremberg) with the local sundaynightorchestra.
Even then he was already very weak on the jazz stage with 150 banned listeners.
He was present and concentrated and a professional, although at the time it was noticed that he was overwhelming himself personally and he was not sparing, even though he gave 10 concerts during the university trip with workshops in different federal states.
A German music teacher had organized this difficult, which turned out to be difficult since Bill had no internet and was first found through the University of Southern California, which then contacted his wife after months and was reachable by phone.
The concert here in Nuremberg was a special experience for me, even well into the 50s, since it last appeared in Germany in 1992 and also produced recordings back then and before (legendary: Trombone Summit 1980 with B. Watrous; K. Winding; A. Mangelsdorff J. Wiggham).
I was actually scared of his condition. Well, I wasn't like that. Hardly any space on the small stage and it was not particularly stable. Even I as a trombonist and my father as a radio musician were just over 60 years old on the physical front. But he was over 75.
At that time I thought: all respect, but you have to do that physically with a reduced style of play at this age (he only improvised in the high registers between the first and second moves, without melody). Or did he want this. Being a musician and still in demand as a legend in old age is not easy when your physical condition plays a trick on you. My father had stopped at 58. He could also afford it financially in Germany, with his better social systems in old age.
Unfortunately I got the departure of Bill W: FIRST TODAY.
My father, as a trombonist, died two years before his 60th birthday.
So Bill had done it right in his sense,
to play until he left the stage when he wanted ...
(in DEUTSCH)..ja, es war der 27.09. - 28. September 2015 als ich den legendären Posaunisten Bill Watrous hier in Deutschland (Bayern - Franken - Nürnberg) mit dem hiesigen sundaynightorchestra sah und lauschte.
Schon damals war er schon sehr geschwächt stehend auf der Jazzbühne bei 150 gebannten Zuhörern.
Er war präsent und konzentriert und ein Profi, obwohl man ihm damals anmerkte dass er sich persönlich überforderte und er sich nicht schonte, obwohl er 10 Konzerte innerhalb der Hochschul-Reise mit Workshops in verschieden Bundesländern gab.
Ein deutscher Musiklehrer hatte dies beschwerlich organisiert, was sich als schwierig erwies, da Bill kein Internet hatte und erst über die University of Southern California ausfindig gemacht wurde, die dann mit seiner Frau nach Monaten kontakten und telefonisch erreichbar wurde.
Das Konzert hier in Nürnberg war für mich, auch schon selbst weit in den 50er ein besonderes Erlebnis, da er ja das letzte Mal 1992 in Deutschland auftrat und auch schon damals und bereits vorher Schallplattenaufnahmen produzierte (legendär: Trombone Summit 1980 mit B. Watrous; K. Winding; A. Mangelsdorff J. Wiggham).
Eigentlich war ich war erschrocken über seine Verfassung. Nun, so gesehen war ich es nicht. Kaum Platz auf der kleinen Bühne und standfest war er nicht besonders. Selbst ich als Posaunist und auch schon mein Vater als Rundfunkmusiker waren leicht über 60 Jahren körperlich an der Grenze. Aber er war über 75.
Ich dachte mir damals: allen Respekt, aber MUSS man in dem Alter sich dass körperlich antun mit reduzierter Spielweise (er improvisierte nur in den hohen Lagen zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Zug, ohne Melodie). Oder wollte er dies. Musiker zu sein und noch gefragt als Legende im hohen Alter ist nicht einfach, wenn die körperlichen Befindlichkeiten einem einen Streich spielen. Mein Vater hatte mit 58 aufgehört. Er konnte sich das auch finanziell leisten in Deutschland, mit seinen besseren Sozialsystemen im Alter.
Leider habe ich den Weggang von Bill W: ERST HEUTE MITBEKOMMEN.
Mein Vater als Posaunist starb bereits zwei Jahre vor seinem 60. Geburtstag.
Somit hatte Bill es in seinem Sinne doch richtig gemacht,
solange zu spielen, bis er von der Bühne abging, wann er wollte …
Watrous is a straight up smooth badass. Tasty!
Smooth and gentle like a caress
Bone man can be easily misunderstood...
Bill Watrous was my favorite Trombone Teacher's Teacher. I never had the pleasure of meeting him myself but the stories he would tell about Mr. Watrous were insane to say the least lol. apparently he was known for being a little crazy and a bit of a prankster
This Trumpet player has the tone and control. I intend to look up more of his songs. I love it!
Trombone player*
So so lovingly smooth🎶🌄🌹
Despite this having been recorded well past his prime as a player, and with the cheesy synth strings added, I'm not sure Bill or anyone else has ever taken a more beautifully melodic cut at this tune. And the same goes for the other two ballads on this album.
Yep one of the reasons I starting playing trombone. This record changed my life. 😢
beautifull person and beautifull playing.
Deliciuos..I can't use other word. Perfection!!
Incredible playing.
RIP MISTER Bill Watrous
Stellar!
Bill é maravilhoso, nos do brasil te amamos!
Wonderful 🎶🎶👏👏
RIP Maestro nunca te olvidaremos.
RIP Bill Watrous! :-(
Once had a clinic with bill at a jazz festival he told us he liked peanut butter and that he was legally blind
Weird thing to say
@@Memeicall everyone's different :)
Lindo de mais!!! Quando sera q vou tocar assim???rs
Smooth as glass.......
Unforgettable Bill Watrous RIP.
RIP Bill 😥
This is how I wish I could play.
+musicloverdavid Don't we all........
we all wish we could. that's why he's watrous
musicloverdavid je pensais pouvoir jouer comme ça , moi aussi , un jour....et j'y suis enfin arrivé .....à 77 ans !!! Le principal , c'est que J'AI REUSSI.......
Wonderful muse..
Rip Bill Watrous
RIP Bill.
very good !!!
RIP Bill
Nice choice of piece for a tribute Bone Man!
R.I.P
To slow dance with the one you love 😍💖💖💖 by the master Trombone player
Effortlessly is the secret just play soft n gently , forcing it is number one mistake , just relax 😌
that's a sexy tone
Zo hoort het ❤
did anyone else hear him quote fantastica polka?
Bill was the best,particularly on ballads, but Si Zentner was a very under rated trombone player at his peak re 1960's.
Does anyone by chance have a transcription of this piece?
Es mi favorita
How do you play so beautifully in a trombone.. I used to always debate trumpeters to Trombonists.. Coz they had 3 keys.. N a Trombonist only a pulley to get his tune out.. I believe this is an instrument I need to understand.
Is there sheet music for this? I'd love to play this!
Google
Too much! Just too much - as Conte Candoli used to say when confronted by a solo by Zeus! The Gods descend from the mountain tops - we are all in the gutter - but Bill stays aloft - gazing at the stars! Is there life beyond the stars? As Ptolemy wrote in the Almagest: "I know I am mortal by nature, and ephemeral ; but when I trace at my pleasure, the windings of heavenly bodies, I no longer touch the Earth with my feet; I stand in the presence of Zeus himself and take my fill of ambrosia."
Beautiful, Tom. It says it all in your poetic verse about Bill's performance.
Very touching thanks so much
Ima try to transpose this unless it's already been done... Any objections?
let me know if you did it
What's wrong with this key?
@@jazz2B he probably meant to say transcribe
Bill takes us over the rainbow at 2:15-2:22
bad hair, great music.
What in the HELL does that have to do with anything ? Please....don't listen to this fabulous musician ever again
Daniel Cropp I have always been amazed give respect for his way of being himself and he won't give two shots about your criticism of vanity he wasn't going to do anything for anyone unless it was related to the passion driving him being music and baseball. I'm glad you took away such deep emotion from his music
Dang you guys are sensitive
Does anyone know Bill Watrous' favorite mouth piece?
This just un-does me.
Anyone know if he was a believer? Would be nice to know that Bill was going to be Gabriel's lead bone player...
Chuck - I took lessons from Bill from 1977 - 1982 while attending CSUN and after. We spoke about religion occasionally. He definitely was a believer but also a very private person in that regard.
I used to follow him around when I first started to play. He played into my face quite a few times during the late 70's, in and around New York City. No sound, but a real swinging cat, with chops from another planet. That's the only thing that bugged me, was the microphone halfway up the bell. Seems to me that you can only sound as good as the microphone says you do. I prefer to hear a roomful of sound that the microphone can pick up, but that's just me.
He played that way because he chose to. It lets you hear all the subtlety he put into his playing. I heard him in a class room in 75 with no mic and he sounded the same. 12 years ago I saw him in an acoustically crappy meeting room used as a concert room. he sounded great with and withpout the mic. It's BS that he had no power. He was a successful studio and road band cat because he wasn't one dimensional.
@@slipbone He had the most naturally beautiful sound of anybody, listen to his first album "In Love Again from 1968, and was probably technically the greatest trombone player who ever lived. Why Bill chose through most of his career to play with the mike too close to his bell, particularly on live performances, I will never understand. It distorted his sound and made it sound like he was playing under water.Just my opinion.
5:23 Porgy and Bess anyone?
I hope Bill was a follower of Jesus Christ.