The Charlie Watts Orchestra - Live at Fulham Town Hall (Remastered) (1986/2025)

Charlie Watts' Live At Fulham Town Hall captures a remarkable moment in the legendary drummer's life, showcasing his long-held dream of leading his own jazz orchestra. The performance was recorded one month after the Charlie Watts Orchestra's 1986 premiere at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, a historic event that garnered widespread attention from both the press and fellow musicians. This live album features a big band ensemble made up of some of the finest British jazz talent, performing a blend of swing-era classics and jazz standards.

Charlie Watts, John Stevens, Bill Eyden - percussion
Stan Tracy - piano
Jim Lawless, Bill Lesage - vibes
Ron Mathewson, Dave Green - bass
Jack Bruce - cello
Colin Smith, John Huckeridge, Steve Sidwell, Harry Beckett, Ted Emmett, Jimmy Deuchar, Dave Defries - trumpet
Paul Rutherford, Annie Whitehead, Chris Pyne, John Picard - trombone
Don Weller, Evan Parker, Alan Skidmore, Bobby Wellins, Danny Moss, Courtney Pine - tenor saxophone
Peter King, Ray Warleigh, Willie Garnett - alto saxophone
Gail Thompson - baritone saxophone
Recorded live at Fulham Town Hall, London on March 23, 1986.

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones' longtime drummer, has his roots in jazz and always loved the music. In 1986 he financed a worldwide tour by an oversized orchestra comprised of seven trumpeters, four trombones, three altoists, six tenors, a baritonist, a clarinetist, two vibraphonists, piano, two basses, cello and three drummers including the leader. Most of the musicians are English and they include among the bigger names altoist Peter King, the tenors of Evan Parker, Danny Moss and Courtney Pine, trumpeters Harry Beckett and Jimmy Deuchar, trombonist Paul Rutherford, pianist Stan Tracey and Jack Bruce on cello. While "Moonglow" features the two vibes and "Scrapple from the Apple" focuses on the two bassists, the other swing-era numbers ("Stompin' at the Savoy," "Lester Leaps In," "Robbins Nest" and "Flying Home") have the full big band playing a bit ragged but with plenty of excitement; "Lester Leaps In" is a massive tenor battle. Although one wonders how much money the tour must have cost Watts, the music (which mixes together bop players with more avant-garde explorers) is well worth hearing.

Tracklist
01. Stomping at the Savoy (4:56)
02. Lester Leaps In (11:31)
03. Moonglow (6:08)
04. Robbins Nest (10:17)
05. Scrapple from the Apple (3:43)
06. Flying Home (8:08)