MASTERCLASS: A MELODIC APPROACH TO IMPROVISATION with ERNIE WATTS

Join Ernie Watts as he discusses his musical process and regales us with stories. Watts discusses how to create musical freedom through discipline and shares stories from his life lived in music for over 60 years followed by a Q&A. 

BIO
Two-time Grammy Award winner Ernie Watts is one of the most versatile and prolific saxophone players in music. Watts has been playing professionally for over 50 years. He has been featured on over 500 recordings and became “first call” for all the reed instruments for films, TV, and recordings with pop icons such as Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, Carole King, Frank Zappa, all the Motown artists, and many others. Watts played for 20 years in Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show band, always exhibiting his unforgettable trademark sound.

In 2014, Watts received the prestigious Frankfurt Music Prize given by the city of Frankfurt, Germany. It is presented to both classical and non-classical musicians. Of the 32 current winners, only 6 have been jazz musicians. Per the Frankfurt Music Prize Foundation, Watts was “selected for his strikingly melodic saxophone style and his original tone language, with which he has already enriched several generations of musicians. Previous jazz honorees include Chick Corea, Paquito D’Rivera, and John McLaughlin. www.ErnieWatts.com

Raue Center's Master Classes are taught by professional artists from across the country, focusing on a variety of disciplines and specialties throughout the year.  Depending on the class, attendees may be asked to join as either a participant or spectator- joining our experts on stage for exercises or practice modules.  Spectators are encouraged to observe the process and are welcome to participate in the question and answer sessions following the workshop.