Jim Watson

A session and touring musician of formidable repute, Jim has been featured in a huge variety of bands, including the Jazz/Funk bands “Incognito”, Brand New Heavies and “US3”, with US artists Lalo Schifrin, Patti Austin and James Moody, the BBC Radio Big Band and, most recently, Katie Melua (with whom he toured for 5 years) and Manu Katché. His jazz bona fides are just as impressive, having worked with Dave O’Higgins, Julian Argüelles, Jean Toussaint and Peter King among many others. With his fabulous technique combined with good taste and a great choice of classic jazz material he is rightly considered to be one of the most talented pianists in the country. Jim has put together a standout quartet for this 606 gig, featuring multi-award winning saxophonist Julian Siegel (Partisans) along with bass player Tim Thornton (Jason Rebello, James Torme) and drummer Chris Draper (Ian Shaw, Soweto Kinch). This is an extraordinary line-up, absolutely not to be missed.

“…classy Jazz pianist” Time Out;
“Watson…his McCoy Tyner-like percussive chords & torrential right hand lines were a standout” Guardian