Jazz Artist Bobby Watson Presents The Gates Bar-B-Q Suite

Nine years ago, when Kansas native son Bobby Watson returned to the area from New York to head the UMKC jazz department, jazz fans had cause to celebrate.

By Alex Smith

Kansas City, MO – Bobby Watson's known even to casual listeners as one of the major figures of saxophone of the 25 years. But those who've followed his career carefully also recognize Bobby Watson as a master composer of the jazz orchestra. One of his earlier major compositions is called "Afro-isms" and is based on African-American folk sayings.

On Monday, December 1st, Bobby Watson presented the world premiere of his latest large-scale composition, The Gates Bar-B-Q Suite. Watson told Alex Smith how the work came about.