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Reggie Watkins: Rivers
By
Reggie Watkins
tromboneb.1971
Needless to say, "Rivers" can refer to the geographic location of Watkins' adopted home city of Pittsburgh, PA. The confluence of the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers is the city's trademark. "You can't get away from river culture," says Watkins in the album's liner notes. "Whatever you do, wherever you go, there are always those three rivers you have to cross." He points out, however, that the term refers to

Sam Rivers
saxophone, tenor1923 - 2011
Watkins recorded the record straight up, with his working Pittsburgh quartet of pianist

Michael J. Bernabe
pianob.1989

Eli Naragon
bassJason Washington jr
drums"Blues for 3-D" is a reference to fellow trombonists

David Gibson
trombone
Steve Davis
tromboneb.1967

Andre Hayward
tromboneb.1973

Ornette Coleman
saxophone, alto1930 - 2015

Don Cherry
trumpet1936 - 1995
The album takes a notable shift with "Dawn of Peace," a gorgeous melody played in unspeakably beatific terms by Watkins. The trombonist's sound, perfect pitch and penchant for melodic improvisation all seem to come together in perfection on this piece. Those qualities are always present in his playing, as one can hear on any of his works as a leader, or during his eight-year association with

Orrin Evans
pianob.1975

Captain Black Big Band
band / ensemble / orchestraWatkins found his way to jazz, and to the trombone the same way many others havethe recordings of

J.J. Johnson
trombone1924 - 2001
Track Listing
Blues in 3-D; Waiting; Ritual; Dawn of Peace; Meditation; Ocularity; Hide n Seek; Wizards; Dream Walker Intro; Dream Walker; Rivers; Blue Six; Shanghai Strut.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Rivers | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: BYNK Records
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