Steve Watts (musician)

Steve Watts (born 14 September 1961) is a British jazz bass player who was a member of the Loose Tubes big band during the 1980s.^[1]

Steve Watts first came to prominence on the UK jazz scene as a bass player in bands with saxophonist Iain Ballamy. He later joined the UK big band Loose Tubes and features on recordings including the live album Arriving.^[2] Watts went on to collaborate with many UK jazz musicians including fellow Loose Tubes member Julian Arguelles^[3], Billy Jenkins^[4] and Christine Tobin^[5]. He is a long time associate of US pianist Kirk Lightsey playing in duo, trio and quartet formats.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Watts is a founding member of The Printmakers, a British jazz band featuring Norma Winstone, Nikki Iles, Mark Lockheart, Mike Walker and James Maddren. In 2015 they released album Westerly which was well received ^[13][14], and The Observer noted that "Every one of them [...] is a leading figure in British contemporary jazz". ^[15] In a 5-star review London Jazz News declared "there is surely no anchor more solid and creative, for a band with [sic] needs this freedom, than bassist Steve Watts." ^[16]

Watts teaches on the Guildhall School of Music and Drama jazz instrumental staff^[17] and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London.^[18]

With Loose Tubes

• Dancing on Frith Street (1989)
• Sad Africa (1989)
• Arriving (2015)

With Iain Ballamy

• Balloon Man (1988)
• All Men Amen (1995)

With Mike Walker

• Ropes (2018)

With Julian Arguelles

• Skull View (Babel, 1997)
• As Above So Below (Provocateur, 2003)
• Escapade (Provocateur, 1999)

With Christine Tobin

• Aliliu
• Yell of the Gazelle

With Billy Jenkins

• Suburbia (Babel, 1999)

With others

• Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone, Mirrors (2013)
• Nikki Iles and Norma Winstone, The Printmakers – Westerly (2015)