Tenor saxophone player Ernie Watts appeared on dozens of successful pop and R&B albums throughout his career, in addition to his work as a more seriously-minded jazz musician. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 23, 1945, Watts studied at Berklee before embarking on his professional career. A tour with Buddy Rich was a formative early experience, and Watts earned himself a job for two decades in the Tonight Show band.

He was heavily in demand for much of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and appeared on recordings from a wide range of popular artists, including Paul McCartney, Cher, Frank Zappa, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, Gloria Gaynor, Bob Seger, and Boz Scaggs. He also appeared on the soundtracks to Grease and The Color Purple, as well as the theme song to the popular television series Night Court, and toured with the Rolling Stones.

In the mid-’80s, he played on jazz bassist Charlie Haden’s album Quartet West, which sent him in a direction that reflected his affinity for players like John Coltrane. Watts’ subsequent albums strayed from pop and grew more challenging as he matured, and he delivered albums for Quincy Jones’ Qwest Records, followed by JVC, and has released music via his own Flying Dolphin label since 2000.

Ernie Watts

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