Monty Waters

Monty Waters at the Palmenhaus, Munich, Germany 1999.

Monville Charles Waters (April 14, 1938 – December 23, 2008), known as Monty Waters, was an American jazz saxophonist, flautist and singer.

Early life

Monville Charles Waters was born in Modesto, California. He studied at Modesto High School where he was a member of the American football team and ran hurdles. After graduating from high school in 1956, he attended a year of junior college before moving to Los Angeles.

Career

While living in Los Angeles, Waters performed as a backing saxophonist for musicians including B.B. King, James Brown, Little Richard, and Fats Domino. He later moved to San Francisco seeking better opportunities for an R&B career, and started his own big band and quartet.

In 1968, he left California for New York City. He later spoke of his surprise upon seeing the music scene there: "I'd never seen so many talented, hard-working, earnest people in my life. All the best were there. You really got to respect them".

Discography

As leader

• The Black Cat (Whynot, 1975)
• Hot House: Live in Paris Duc de Lombards Vol. 1 (with Larry Porter, Stafford James, Ronnie Burrage)
• New York Calling: Live in Paris Vol. 2 (with Larry Porter, Stafford James, Ronnie Burrage, Tom Nicholas)
• Jazzoetry (with Paulo Cardoso and Tom Nicholas)
• Monty Waters & Titus Waldenfels: Favourite Things
• Monty Waters & Titus Waldenfels: Full Blast (with Jürgen Schneider)
• Monty Waters & L'ubo Samo Quintet: Moonlight in Slovakia (with Titus Waldenfels)
• Embryo : Turn Peace
• Götz Tangerding Trio feat. Sheila Jordan : Jazztracks

As sideman

With Billy Higgins

• The Soldier (Red, 1979)

With Joe Lee Wilson

• Shout for Trane (1976)

With Sam Rivers

• Crystals (1974)

With Ronnie Boykins

• The Will Come, Is Now (1975)

External links

• Official website
• Live in Paris – Duc Des Lombardes Volume 2
• AllMusic biography