Doug Watkins

about

Douglas Watkins (1934 – 1962) was an American hard bop bassist from Detroit. An original member of the Jazz Messengers, he later played in Horace Silver's and freelanced with Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Art Farmer, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins, and Phil Woods among countless others in jazz. He was a cousin by marriage to bassist Paul Chambers, who was similiarly prolific on record during this era. Watkins was known for his superb tone and distinct phrasing. Pianist Red Garland often stated that Watkins' was his favorite bassist and he was always in tune and never off-key. Doug played with Red Garland in 1959, along with drummer Charles "Specs" Wright. According to Horace Silver's recent autobiography: Let's Get To The Nitty Gritty, Watkins, along with Horace Silver, left Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers because the other members of the band (Kenny Dorham, Hank Mobley and Blakey) had serious drug problems, and they were tired of being harassed and searched by the police every time they went to a gig in a club.[citation needed] Some of Doug's best work can be heard as a 21 year old on the 1956 album by tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins called Saxophone Colossus, along with Max Roach and Tommy Flanagan. The tunes, "Blue Seven" and "St. Thomas" are fine examples of Doug's work. He had a distinct walking tone and was right on the beat. He lived only to the age of 28, but appeared on well over 350 lps in his short life span and a search of jazz re

top songs

albums

Watkins at Large

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Donald Byrd And Doug Watkins - The Transition Sessions

Soulnik

One Guy

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Saxophone Colossus

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Soulnik (Reissue)

Soulnik (feat. Yusef Lateef)

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Donald Byrd And Doug Watkins: The Transition Sessions (Remastered)

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Imagination

Soulnik (w Yusef Lateef)

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Imagine Jazz - 75 Powerful Sounds of Jazz

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Donald Byrd. Transition Sessions. Byrd's Eye View / Watkins at Large / Byrd Blows at Beacon Hill

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