Doug Watkins - Watkins At Large (Vinyl, Blue Note Tone Poet Series)

Doug Watkins - Watkins At Large (Vinyl, Blue Note Tone Poet Series)

The Blue Note Tone Poet Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was' admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley (from Music Matters), a.k.a. the "Tone Poet," on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.

Recorded in 1956 for producer Tom Wilson's short-lived Boston-based label Transition Records, Watkins At Large was the first of only two albums that the great bassist Doug Watkins would make as a leader. The Detroit native had moved to New York and begun to garner recognition for his contributions to the Art Blakey-Horace Silver co-led iteration of the Jazz Messengers as well as Bud Powell's trio when Wilson decided to give him the opportunity to front his own recording date.

Along with a first-rate ensemble featuring trumpeter Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Duke Jordan, and drummer Art Taylor, Watkins swings through a stellar set of blues, ballads, and more including originals written by Jordan, Burrell, and Thad Jones.

Title:  Watkins At Large 
Artist: Doug Watkins
Format: LP
Release Date: 6/7/2024
Label: Blue Note Records
UPC: 602448321794
Genre: Jazz

Track List:

Side A
1. Return to Paradise
2. Phinupi

Side B
1. Phil T. McNasty's Blues
2. More of the Same
3. Panonica