Charlie Watts

On first glance, Charlie Watts would seem to be a funny choice to include in a jazz book for he is the longtime drummer of the Rolling Stones. However, jazz was Watts' first love and in the 1980s he toured worldwide with a huge big band that included many of England's top musicians (giving one a chance to hear Evan Parker play "Lester Leaps In!"). In 1991, he organized an excellent bop quintet (featuring altoist Peter King) that paid tribute to Charlie Parker, justifying Watts' place in any jazz history book. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide