Bill Watrous

Biography

Bill Watrous, adjunct professor, jazz studies, was one of the preeminent trombonists working in the field of jazz. He performed with jazz legends including Woody Herman, Roy Eldridge and Count Basie. Throughout his career, he had also been a guest soloist on many albums by other prominent jazz musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Arturo Sandoval. Mr. Watrous was been voted “Number One Jazz Trombonist” seven years in a row by Downbeat magazine and has won the magazine’s critics’ award twice. In addition to an active schedule of performances at colleges and high schools across the country, he played in studio groups and recorded fourteen solo albums. His album, Tiger of San Pedro, was nominated for a Grammy as best performance by a large jazz ensemble. One of Mr. Watrous’ last projects included his big band playing with the successful jazz-rock group Chicago on their album, Night and Day. The musical world lost Bill in 2018.