Martial Solal, Piano, 1927, Algiers
Martial studied piano with his mother, an opera singer and pianist,from the age of seven. After playing locally in the Algiers area he settled in Paris in 1950, where he worked with Django Reinhardt and the American,Don Byas. He made records with both these stars and others in the early '50s. Also during the 1950s he worked with many visiting musicians such as Kenny Clarke, and Lucky Thompson. He also co-led a moderately successful quartet with Sidney Bechet around 1957-59. Martial has had a long association with altoist Lee Konitz, performing at jazz festivals, in clubs, and on radio broadcasts. Solal has the wonderful, rare ability to play in widely varying jazz styles. At one time he led a trio with two double bases, (early '70s), and has occasionally performed as a leader of a big band. His best music, however, has been made in a conventional trio of piano, bass, and drums, and shows a unique form uncommon among most improvisers. Solal has also been the composer of soundtrack music for more than twenty motion pictures. A man of over eighty, Martial still performs regularly, and still tours the world.
Bobby Watson, Saxophone, 1953, Lawrence, KS
Bobby earned a degree in theory and composition from the University of Miami, and then moved to New York in the mid '70s. From 1977 to 1981 he performed, recorded, and toured with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He also served as music director of the Messengers for a couple of years. He composed and arranged several charts for the band. After leaving Blakey, Bobby played with George Coleman and Louis Hayes, and did some recording work with Ricky Ford and Sam Rivers. In 1983 Watson and two partners created a record company called New Notes, for which he recorded as a leader. Later he made tours of Europe and recorded as a leader of several hard-bop groups. In the mid '80s Watson performed, recorded and wrote charts for a group called the 29th Street Saxophone Quartet. Bobby, an excellent reader with much recording experience, is very busy with numerous jazz groups.
