Eric Watson (musician)

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Eric Watson (born July 5, 1955 in Wellesley (Massachusetts) ) is an American jazz musician (piano, composition).

Live and act

Watson learned the piano as a child and initially played rock music. After studying at Oberlin College (classical piano, composition and jazz improvisation), he went to Paris to accompany a dance company . In 1982 a trio album with Paul Motian and Ed Schuller ( Conspiracy ) was created, soon afterwards two solo albums. During this time the long and fruitful collaboration with bassist John Lindberg began . Their duo was later expanded to a trio and quartet with Albert Mangelsdorff and Ed Thigpen . Watson also played duos with Steve Lacy and with Joëlle Léandre (Palimpseste, 1991). From a trio with Mark Dresser and Ed Thigpen ("Silent Hearts", 1998), the Full Metal Quartet (1999/2000) developed with saxophonist Bennie Wallace . In 2003 and 2005 he performed in Europe, Asia and Australia with Christof Lauer . In 2006 he released Jaded Angels in a trio with Peter Herbert and Christophe Marguet . With Linda Sharrock , he presented the album Listen to the Night in 2007 , which was followed by the solo album Memories of Paris in 2010 .

Despite the long time in Europe, Watson's music remained rooted in the American tradition: his compositions are characterized by polytonality, clusters, unusual rhythms and complex thematic structures. He has composed both in the jazz field (for example "Martial Arts" (1986) for Martial Solal and the Orchester National de Jazz ) and in the field of classical chamber music ("Bénévoles", for the Australian violinist Jane Peters).

Jazz piano innovators such as Lennie Tristano , Mal Waldron , Elmo Hope , Herbie Nichols and Paul Bley left their mark on his playing. Watson is also valued as an interpreter of Charles Ives' piano works . He also works as a commissioned composer for theater and ballet productions and, since 2001, as director of the renowned jazz festival in La Villette (Paris). In 2003 he was awarded the title “ Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres ”.

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personal data
SURNAME Watson, Eric
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz musician (piano, composition)
DATE OF BIRTH 5th July 1955
PLACE OF BIRTH Wellesley, Massachusetts