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Reggie Watkins

by | Mar 18, 2022 | Blog

Reggie Watkins

by | Mar 18, 2022 | Blog

Reggie Watkins

 “You’re just a vehicle for the music to come through.” – Reggie Watkins

Reggie Watkins has always had a knack for music. He has come a long way from learning how to play the piano at six. Born and raised in West Virginia and spending years in Pittsburgh, Reggie was exposed to musical influences that would later turn him into an internationally-recognized performer, pianist, arranger, and composer. Leveraging  his experience fronting a quarter on a cruise ship, he then served as trombonist and musical director for trumpeter and band leader Maynard Ferguson. From there he went on to tour and record with  Jason Mraz from 2008 to 2013. He has shared the stage with many great artists from various genres including Aretha Franklin, Dave Matthews, Dianne Shuur, Jose Feliciano, Willie Nelson, Arturo Sandoval, Trombone Shorty, The Temptations, and the O’Jays. He is also a member of the Grammy-nominated Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band. 

He joins us in this episode to talk about his epiphany moment with jazz, his music education and influences, his early cruise ship gigs, his years touring with the Maynard Ferguson band and Jason Mraz, his practice routine, and the honor of playing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral.

In this episode we touch on the following topics:

  • How Reggie and Steve met [3:23]
  • Reggie on Austin’s local music scene [6:15]
  • Austin being a country music Mecca [6:57]
  • Reggie’s epiphany moment with jazz [9:10]
  • Reggie’s music education [10:30]
  • Reggie’s musical influences [12:01]
  • Music running in Reggie’s family [14:36]
  • Musical gigs on a cruise ship [15:57]
  • Learning tunes before the internet age [16:50]
  • Learning to play the piano at six [21:32]
  • Working with Orrin Evans [25:16]
  • Cunning Bird from Avid Admirer [28:00]
  • Getting into the Maynard Ferguson band [29:16]
  • Indian musical influence [32:23]
  • Instrumentation at Maynard Ferguson band [34:11]
  • Touring with the Maynard Ferguson band [37:31]
  • Maynard’s dedication to his musical passion despite physical limitations [38:36]
  • How do you respond to a last-minute call for a big gig [41:04]
  • Moving from Maynard to Mraz [42:01]
  • Touring with Jason Mraz [43:44]
  • Going back home to Pittsburgh [48:14]
  • Pittsburgh Jazz Renaissance [49:41]
  • Reggie’s practice routine [52:26]
  • Referencing historical recordings [55:22]
  • Traditional music and modern music [1:00:39]
  • Playing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral [1:09:00]

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