On the Record: Brad Goode and Ernie Watts' "That's Right!"

First sharing a stage in the early 2010's, the virtuosic trumpeter Brad Goode and legendary saxophonist Ernie Watts met and instantly realized their incredible musical rapport. Since that day, they have been touring together and exciting audiences with their high energy, tight-rope style improvisations. That's Right! is their first recording together, featuring a set of modern originals, along with arrangements of "Blues in the Night," "I Want to Talk About You," and "Jug Ain't Gone," from one of Goode's early mentors, the late Chicago saxophonist Von Freeman. With the explosive Adam Nussbaum on drums, Chicago bassist Kelly Sill and the inventive Canadian pianist Adrean Farrugia, Goode and Watts create musical fire and have a lot of fun doing it.

In his four-star review for DownBeat magazine, critic Herb Boyd wrote, “Practically every possible sound explodes from Brad Goode's trumpet on That's Right! Goode's pyrotechnics begin with a flourish on "Half Moon," and his full-throated melodic lines quickly are repeated by Ernie Watts on tenor saxophone; his passages equal and often extend Goode's solos and ideas.”

A multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, and composer, Brad Goode has built an impressive career, primarily as a gifted trumpeter who was mentored by the legendary Clark Terry. Called “The lyrical genius of the trumpet” (Chicago Tribune), he has amassed a formidable list of collaborators including Curtis Fuller, Von Freeman, Eddie Harris, Jack DeJohnette, and Sheila Jordan, and was dubbed “Little Red Rodney” by trumpet icon Dizzy Gillespie in reference to the storied Charlie Parker musical partner. He’s released 18 albums for the Origin, Delmark, and SteepleChase labels.

An singular artist synonymous with the L.A. jazz scene, two-time GRAMMY-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts has led a near mythic career, working with artists ranging from Charlie Haden’s Quartet West, Bobby Hutcherson, and Dizzy Gillespie to the Rolling Stones, Cher, and Paul McCartney. He’s released over 20 albums as a leader and honors his Indigenous heritage through performances on wood Native American flute in addition to the saxophone. All About Jazz calls Watts “one of the greatest living tenor saxophonists, at the top of his game."

For their SFJAZZ performance, Goode and Watts are joined by an all-star quintet including pianist and Kneebody founder Adam Benjamin, bassist Richard Giddens (Larry Goldings, Mary Halvorson), and the phenomenal drummer Tina Raymond.

The Brad Goode and Ernie Watts Quintet with Adam Benjamin, Richard Giddens, and Tina Raymond performs 5/2 in the Joe Henderson Lab. Tickets and more information are available here.