The Marzette Watts Ensemble

The Marzette Watts Ensemble is the second and final album by saxophonist and composer Marzette Watts. It was recorded in 1968 in New York City, and was released on LP by Savoy Records in 1969. On the album, Watts is joined by cornetist George Turner, trombonist Marty Cook, violinist Frank Kipers, vocalists Amy Schaeffer and Patty Waters, pianist Bobby Few, bassists Cevera Jeffries (listed as "Cevera Jehers"), Juny Booth, and Steve Tintweiss, and drummers J. C. Moses and Tom Berge. The album was produced by Bill Dixon, whose composition "octobersong" is featured, and who also provided liner notes and played piano on one track.[1][2][3][4]

The Marzette Watts Ensemble
Studio album by
Marzette Watts
Released1969
Recorded1968
StudioNew York City
GenreFree jazz
Length34:48
LabelSavoy Records
MG-12193
ProducerBill Dixon
Marzette Watts chronology
Marzette Watts and Company
(1968)		 The Marzette Watts Ensemble
(1969)

The Marzette Watts Ensemble is the followup to Marzette Watts and Company, which was recorded in 1966 and released by ESP-Disk in 1968.[5] "Play It Straight" and "Lonely Woman" were included in the 1979 Savoy compilation New Music: Second Wave.[6]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]

The editors of AllMusic awarded the album 41⁄2 stars.[7]

In an article for Paris Transatlantic, Clifford Allen wrote: "Less of a blowing session than Marzette & Company, it's a record equally deserving of reissue. It's a shame he didn't record more – three years after the debut, his chops seemed to be coming together and his tone on tenor was quite velvety – but these mysterious snapshots are enough to get at the essence of this Renaissance man well respected by his peers."[8]

Guitarist Thurston Moore included the album in his "Top Ten From The Free Jazz Underground" list, first published in 1995 in the second issue of the defunct Grand Royal Magazine.[9]

Track listing

Side A
  1. "octobersong" (Bill Dixon) – 7:04
  2. "Play It Straight" (Ornette Coleman) – 3:47
  3. "F.L.O.A.R.S.S." (Marzette Watts) – 4:58

Side B
  1. "Medley" (Marzette Watts) – 9:03
  2. "Lonely Woman" (Ornette Coleman, lyrics by Patty Waters) – 5:52
  3. "Joudpoo" (Marzette Watts) – 4:04

Personnel
  • Marzette Watts – tenor saxophone
  • George Turner – cornet
  • Marty Cook – trombone
  • Frank Kipers – violin
  • Amy Schaeffer – vocals
  • Patty Waters – vocals
  • Bobby Few – piano
  • Bill Dixon – piano (track 2)
  • Cevera Jeffries (listed as "Cevera Jehers") – bass
  • Juney Booth – bass
  • Steve Tintweiss – bass
  • J. C. Moses – drums
  • Tom Berge – drums

References
  1. "Marzette Watts". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  2. "Savoy Records Catalog: 12100 series". Jazz Disco. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  3. "Savoy 12000 series discography (12160-12305)". Jazz Lists. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  4. Dixon, Bill (1969). Marzette Watts Ensemble (liner notes). Marzette Watts. Savoy Records. MG-12193.
  5. "Marzette Watts: Marzette Watts and Company". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  6. "New Music: Second Wave". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  7. "Marzette Watts: Marzette Watts Ensemble". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  8. Allen, Clifford (2012). "Marzette Watts: Marzette Watts Ensemble". Paris Transatlantic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. Moore, Thurston (August 4, 2009). "Thurston Moore's Top Ten Free Jazz Underground". Root Strata. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
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