Oasis

Oasis is the first new release from Flying Dolphin Records available through City Hall Records. Music has been an oasis for Ernie Watts his whole life, ever since he first picked up a horn over fifty years ago. Since he and his wife started Flying Dolphin in 2004, his oasis has grown even deeper. This new project, recorded in Germany, has music from many sources: three compositions from Watts himself: lingering "Twilight Waltz," joyful "Bass Geige"(colloquial German for 'upright bass,') and title track "Oasis." Energetic samba "Palmito" is by pianist Christof Saenger, and intricate "Konbanwa" from drummer Heinrich Koebberling. A bebop classic, "Shaw Nuff" is by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie; the soaring ballad "You Are There" comes from Johnny Mandel and Dave Frishberg, and "One Day I'll Fly Away" (made famous in Moulin Rouge) from Joe Sample and Will Jennings. Also included is Lennon/McCartney tune "Blackbird," and "Crescent" by Ernie's major inspiration John Coltrane, each tune with a Watts interpretation and his superlative sound, as well as a band that unites as one. This Oasis is wide as well as deep.