The Jazz Orchestra and Big Band Jazz ensembles will preform in concert during A WEEK OF JAZZ, Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 pm in Kimball Recital Hall. Tickets: General admission $5, student/senior $3, available at the door approx. one hour before the performance.

Trombonist Bill Watrous will join the ensembles on stage.

The keystone concert of UNL Jazz Week 2012 features our guest artist and clinician, world renowned trombonist, Bill Watrous.

Possessor of a beautiful tone and remarkable technique, Bill Watrous is one of the finest bop-oriented trombonists of the past 30 years. His father was a trombonist and introduced Bill to music. Watrous made his debut with Billy Butterfield and was a busy New York-based studio musician during the 1960s, working and recording with Quincy Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Johnny Richards, Kai Winding, and Woody Herman; playing in the television band for Merv Griffin’s show (1965-1968); and working on the staff of CBS (1967-1969).

After playing with the jazz-rock group Ten Wheel Drive in 1971, Watrous led his own big band (the Manhattan Wildlife Refuge) during 1973-1977, recording two superb albums for Columbia. After moving to Los Angeles in the late ’70s, Watrous continued working in the studios, appearing at jazz parties, playing in local clubs, and leading an occasional big band. He has recorded as a leader for Columbia, Famous Door, Soundwings, GNP Crescendo, and with his late-’90s big band for Double-Time. — Scott Yanow

This Bill Watrous Residency is sponsored by Nebraska Diamond and John & Laurie Tavlin