Bill Watrous facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Watrous
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Russell Watrous III |
| Born | June 8, 1939 Middletown, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | July 2, 2018 (aged 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Trombone |
| Associated acts |
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William Russell Watrous III (born June 8, 1939 – died July 2, 2018) was a famous American jazz trombonist. He was known for his amazing skill and beautiful sound on the trombone. Many people remember his version of "A Time for Love," which he recorded in 1993.
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About Bill Watrous
Bill Watrous was born in Middletown, Connecticut, in the United States. His father was also a trombonist, so Bill started playing the instrument when he was very young. While he was serving in the U.S. Navy, he learned from a jazz pianist named Herbie Nichols. His first professional performances were with Billy Butterfield's band.
His Music Career
Bill Watrous's career really took off in the 1960s. He played and recorded music with many well-known jazz artists. Some of these included Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, and Quincy Jones. He also performed with famous singers like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn.
From 1965 to 1968, he was part of the house band on The Merv Griffin Show. This was a popular TV show. After that, he worked as a musician for CBS from 1967 to 1969.
In the 1970s, Bill Watrous started his own band called The Manhattan Wildlife Refuge Big Band. They recorded two albums. Later, when he moved to California, the band's name changed to Refuge West. He also played with a jazz fusion group called Ten Wheel Drive in 1971.
Bill Watrous continued to lead bands, play in studios, and perform in jazz clubs. In 1983, he helped write a book called Trombonisms. This book teaches people how to play the trombone. He also recorded many albums as a solo artist and with small groups. He even recorded with Carl Fontana, who he said was his favorite trombonist.
There is a jazz festival named after him, the SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival. It takes place every year in Texas.
Teaching and Later Life
Bill Watrous taught music for 20 years at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He retired from teaching in 2015. He passed away in Los Angeles on July 2, 2018. He was survived by his wife, Maryann, and his children.
Other Talents
Besides music, Bill Watrous was also a talented baseball player! When he was a teenager, the New York Yankees even scouted him. This means they were interested in him playing for their team. Later, in the early 1980s, he thought about joining a minor league baseball team.
Awards and Recognitions
Bill Watrous received several awards and honors for his musical talent:
- In 1975, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for his album The Tiger of San Pedro.
- In 2019, he received The Legacy Circle Award from The International Trombone Association.
- He won two Down Beat Awards. He was also named a top trombonist by Down Beat magazine for seven years in a row.
Images for kids
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A profile picture of Bill Watrous.
