Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson has always had his light shine through whatever inspiration might strike: what would post-bop feel like wedded to Motown? Why is Johnny Hodges so hip? His musical I Have A Dream project. After all, he was a Jazz Messenger. One of Blakey's musical scribes. Seems natural that Made In America, Watson's new album, would embrace a broad view of historic African-American achievement.
The album enlightens listeners to great African-American dancers, singers, actors, pilots, a cyclist, an entrepreneur — all while the alto saxophonist, pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Lewis Nash make music that flies, dances, sings with enough groove and spirit to nudge you to investigate the subjects that made Watson come this way.
