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"no-nonsense contemporary jazz by a British pianist-composer of unusual warmth, touch and taste. Trevor Watkis is underrated in London but not in New York"
Jack Massarik - ’Jazz CD Of The Week’ The Evening Standard
Trevor Watkis has been playing professionally since 1987. In 1989 he was awarded a scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts, USA, where, being so close New York City, he was able to study with, hear and meet some of the worlds greatest jazz musicians, such as Mulgrew Miller, Betty Carter, Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson and Freddie Hubbard. Trevor also worked with some of his fellow students, such as Antonio Hart, Lalah Hathaway and Mark Turner, and he performed often with Joshua Redman (who was studying close by at Harvard at the time).On his return to London Trevor established himself on the UK jazz scene as a respected pianist, band leader and composer, working with renowned artists from both the UK and USA (Courtney Pine, Jean Toussaint, Cleveland Watkiss, Ernest Ranglin, Gary Bartz, Kenny Garrett, the late Stanley Turrentine, Eddie Henderson, Betty Carter, Clifford Jarvis and many others), and was one of the founding members of Gary Crosbys Tomorrows Warriors and Nu Troop. He has appeared at most of Londons prestigious concert halls and jazz venues including The Royal Festival Hall, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Barbican, Jazz Café, Ronnie Scotts, The 606 Club and the Vortex in addition to many other venues across the country. Trevor has also led music workshops with young children in schools throughout the UK.Trevor frequently visits New York City, where he is fast becoming well-known on the New York jazz scene, performing at venues like, The Blue Note, Smoke, Up Over Jazz Café, Sweet Rhythm, Cleopatra’s Needle and Smalls, and has worked with Winard Harper’s Quintet and most recently with the legendary saxophonist James Spaulding, while also working with his contemporaries.Trevors film,TV and theatre work include appearances in Stephen Frys Bright Young Things and the 2004 MGM movie De-Lovely- a portrait of 1940s Songwriter and composer Cole Porter, in which he accompanies Elvis Costello and Natalie Cole. Trevor has written music for BBC Radio and has appeared in television commercials. In 1998 Trevor toured Europe with the theatre production Dancing & Singing The Blues on piano/keyboard and as co-musical arranger. He is also credited as musical arranger for the score of the independent movie Rage. He also recently appeared and performed in an episode of SkyOne’s UK tv production Hex with Colin Salmon.Trevor continues to work on the freelance circuit and has performed in the USA, Japan, Oman, Turkey, Caribbean, and many cities across Europe.Watkis has just recorded his debut solo album in New York which will be titled Straight Ahead...Ride For Tone! The recording, which features mainly new original music written by Trevor, contains a lineup of some of New York’s greatest musicians; saxophonist Steve Wilson, trumpeter Darren Barrett, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Lewis Nash and is available to buy now!
New debut Album "Straight Ahead...Ride For Tone!" now available to buy direct from www.trevorwatkis.com
Click here to buy on iTunes
Click here to get CD via CDBaby