Greetings to all of my friends,

I have not posted for awhile, frankly, I have not had the time and I spend too much time on the computer already instead of my horn, but I feel compelled to  provide ya'll with a few updates that I am particulary proud of. First, I just returned returned from a two week tour of Italy with stops in Gouvy Belgium and Vanlecia Spain with the Jazz Tribe, a group made up of Ray Mantilla, Curtis Lundy, Jack Walrath, Ronnie Mathews, Bill Elder,(for Victor Lewis), and yours truly. What made this trip special for me is the fact that I was able to take my son Aaron, who is a chef in NYC to Italy with me. He had a ball! it was his first time in Europe as well and had to travel to and from NYC alone. I was proud of the young man. Secondly, I have a Jamey Aebersold play along coming out in August which features 12 of my compositions played by the Horizon ryhthm section of Victor Lewis, Essiet Essiet, and Edward Simon, I am volume 119, Way cool! check it out! I am taking three of my jazz students to Lugano Switzerland on the 28th of August to perform with Swiss students in a combo at the "Blues to Bop Festival", and finally, be on the look out for my latest release for Palmetto records called, "From the Heart", it was recorded last January but won't be released until early next year because we are lining up tour dates for the new band which I am calling "Live and Learn". My vision is for it to be a launching pad/training ground for new and talented musicians. Curtis and I feel we have a lot we can share with the youg cats and also a lot we can learn from them. We both had great mentors come along in our life and it is just part of the tradition that is being smothered because of the industry these days. The band is co-lead by Curtic Lundy and myself and this recording will feature Leron Thomas on trumpet, Harold O'Neal on piano, Warren Wolf on Vibes and piano, and Quincy Davis on Drums. I am very proud of the recording and I can't wait for everyone to hear it. Well, that's it for now, school starts in a week and it's the start of my eight year at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. The time does indeed fly, so please, make each day count and try to find ways to do something for someone everyday. It could be as simple as a compliment, or opening a door, or letting someone go in front of you in line, or,,,,,not takings so many choruses on your solo so someone else can play,,,,believe me, it's contageous and addicting and you will see more blessings start to come your way.

Onward and upward,

Bobby Watson

August 11th, 2007