Tip-off
Bobby Watson Quintet plans two shows

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

The Bobby Watson Quintet, featuring the noted saxophonist, will present two Hawai'i shows on two islands.

The schedule:

• Sept. 20, 7 p.m., Castle Theatre, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului.
• Sept. 22, 6 p.m., Kapono's, Aloha Tower Marketplace, Honolulu.

Watson has emerged as one of the top alto sax players in jazz. He moves freely from swing to bop to free jazz. Prodded by guitarist-friend Pat Metheny to pursue a career in music, and supported by the likes of Bruce Hornsby, Jaco Pastorious and Danny Gottlieb, Watson moved to New York after graduating from college in 1975. He became music director of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers from 1977 to '81, participating in early Wynton Marsalis recordings.

Watson balances his compositions and interpretations by honoring but not imitating some of his favorite masters (Charlie Parker, John Coltrane). He regularly winds up on critics' and readers' music polls and has broadened his horizons by embracing film music, composing music for Robert DeNiro's directorial debut in "A Bronx Tale."

Both shows will feature opening acts; the Maui guest has yet to be named, but at Kapono's, guest artists will include Ginai, Henry Kapono and emcee Kale Imua.

Tickets: Maui, $40, $25 and $10, available at the box office, (808) 242-7469. Honolulu, $45 (reserved), $40, $35, at Ticket Plus outlets, 526-4400.