Reggie Watkins grew up in Wheeling, WV and as a long time Pittsburgh, PA resident the trombonist, pianist, arranger, composer and educator has produced four recordings as leader: “A-List” (2004), “One for Miles, One for Maynard” (2011), “Avid Admirer” (2016) and “5 Years of Funk” (2023). He has been featured on many others including Grammy Nominated releases from Warren Haynes “Man In Motion” (2011) and Orrin Evans “The Intangible Between” (2020). From 1999 to 2006 he served as trombonist and musical director for trumpeter and band leader Maynard Ferguson and from 2008 to 2013 with singer, songwriter and pop star Jason Mraz. In 2003 he was chosen as a semi-finalist in the “Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition” and has performed and recorded with many great artists from various genres including Aretha Franklin, Dave Matthews, Dianne Shuur, Jose Feliciano, Willie Nelson, Arturo Sandoval, Aaron Neville, Trombone Shorty, Postmodern Jukebox, Richie Cole, Dumpstaphunk, Maceo Parker, The Temptations and The O’Jays. Currently, in addition to leading his own various groups, he is also a member of the twice Grammy nominated Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band, The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, a founding member of The Keystone Jazz Collective and leader of Steeltown Horns.
”Reggie Watkins manages to improvise with originality and creativity avoiding clichés and predictable phrases in an entirely distinctive trombone style.”
– Hot House Magazine
