Junior Watson is a cult figure with nearly 40 years of experience. Junior Watson has created a unique style by blending diverse styles. This is what great artists do. He has a wide range of influences including Tiny Grimes and Bill Jennings, Rene Hall and Robert Jr. Lockwood. He is a master of swing and blues, but he also adds a cartoon-like touch to every song he plays. He will surprise you with his creativity and he won’t tell you if he does. You feel reckless abandonment when you see his energy and play. He was once described as “like a train that has run off the tracks”. His impressive artist list is just as impressive as his musician resume. He was a founding member of The Mighty Flyers and he remained with them for ten more years. After leaving, he joined Canned Heat and remained there for ten more years. Lynwood Slim, an LA-based harmonica player/vocalist, took him on tour for a time. He has recorded and backed up with some of the biggest names in blues music. He has recorded and backed up Big Mama Thorton and George Smith as well as Shakey Jake and Luther Tucker. Although Junior Watson has been on many recordings, there are very few solo albums. Watson’s latest release, Nothin’ To It But To Make It, shows his command of the instrument whether he is soloing or playing rhythm. The recording features Watson’s voice shining through and, like his previous Long Overdue album, Nothin’ To It but To Do It also features other vocalists – in this instance the greats Alabama Mike Andersen and Lisa Leuschner Andersen. Jim Pugh, organist and founder of the Little Village Foundation, is also featured on this recording. Watson is joined by Gary Smith, his first boss and the father of blues harmonica in the SF Bay Area. The rhythm section includes Kedar Roy, a long-time bass player, and Andrew Gutterman, a drummer. from https://juniorwatson.com
