Julius Watkins facts for kids

Julius Watkins (born October 10, 1921 – died April 4, 1977) was an American jazz musician. He was famous for playing the French horn. Many people called him "the father of the jazz French horn." He even won a special award from Down Beat magazine in 1960 and 1961 for his amazing playing.

Life and Music Career

Julius Watkins was born in Detroit, Michigan, in the United States. He started playing the French horn when he was just nine years old.

He began his music career playing the trumpet in the Ernie Fields Orchestra from 1943 to 1946. Later, in the late 1940s, he started playing French horn solos on recordings with famous musicians like Kenny Clarke.

After moving to New York City, Julius studied music at the Manhattan School of Music for three years. He then began playing in small jazz groups. He even played on some recordings with the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. One of his famous recordings was "Friday the 13th" on the album Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins in 1954.

Julius Watkins played with many other jazz greats. These included John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, and Phil Woods. He also led his own group called Les Jazz Modes with Charlie Rouse from 1956 to 1959. He toured with Quincy Jones and his band for two years.

In 1969, Julius played French horn for the poet Allen Ginsberg's album, Songs of Innocence and Experience. This album put music to poems by William Blake.

Julius Watkins passed away in Short Hills, New Jersey, when he was 55 years old.

To honor his amazing music, the Julius Watkins Jazz Horn Festival was held every year in New York from 1994 to 1998. After a break, the festival returned in 2009 in Seattle, Washington, and again in 2012 in Richmond, Virginia. These festivals celebrate his important contributions to jazz music.

Music He Recorded

Julius Watkins recorded many albums throughout his career.

As a Band Leader

He released albums where he was the main artist or co-leader:

• Julius Watkins Sextet, Vol 1 & 2 (1954, 1955)
• French Horns for My Lady (1962)

He also led the group Les Jazz Modes with Charlie Rouse. They released several albums, including:

• Les Jazz Modes (1956)
• The Jazz Modes (1959)

Playing with Other Musicians

Julius Watkins was a sought-after musician. He played French horn on many albums for other famous jazz artists. Here are just a few of the well-known musicians he recorded with:

• John Coltrane on Africa/Brass (1961)
• Miles Davis on Porgy and Bess (1959)
• Gil Evans on New Bottle Old Wine (1958)
• Dizzy Gillespie on Gillespiana (1960)
• Freddie Hubbard on The Body & the Soul (1963)
• Milt Jackson on Meet Milt Jackson (1949)
• Quincy Jones on many albums, including The Birth of a Band! (1959)
• Thelonious Monk on Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins (1954)
• Charles Mingus on Let My Children Hear Music (1972)
• Oscar Peterson on Bursting Out with the All-Star Big Band! (1962)
• Pharoah Sanders on Karma (1969)
• McCoy Tyner on Song of the New World (1973)
• Randy Weston on Uhuru Afrika (1960)
• Phil Woods on Rights of Swing (1961)