Along with explosive power, blinding speed and mastery of complex rhythms and time signatures, Jeff Watts brings a rare sense of elegance, tried-by- fire composure, and a gritty street funk to his music. His artistic ingenuity expresses itself in his incomparable technique, sweltering sense of swing, and an extraordinary ability to imbue his music with majestic grace and elegant repose.
Watts spent his formative years with Wynton and Branford Marsalis, earning three GRAMMY Awards with the Wynton Marsalis Quartet. He also worked with George Benson, Harry Connick. Jr. and McCoy Tyner, and the Branford Marsalis Quartet, winning another GRAMMY. Watts has appeared as both a musician on the Tonight Show and as an actor, Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee’s “Mo Better Blues”. He joined Kenny Garrett’s band in 1995 and continued to record and tour with Branford Marsalis as well as Danilo Perez, Michael Brecker, Betty Carter, Kenny Kirkland, Courtney Pine, Geri Allen, Alice Coltrane, Greg Osby, McCoy Tyner, Steve Coleman, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Harry Connick Jr, and Ravi Coltrane.