Ernie Watts - Reaching Up (1993)

01.Reaching Up
02.Mr. Syms
03.I Hear a Rhapsody
04.Transparent Sea
05.The High Road
06.Inward
07.You Leave Me Breathless
08.Sweet Lucy
09.Angel's Flight
10.Sweet Solitude.

For this quartet set with pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Charles Fambrough, and drummer Jack DeJohnette, Ernie Watts definitely came to play. Virtually all of his solos are high powered and even his ballad statements are filled with clusters of passionate notes. Trumpeter Arturo Sandval has two appearances and makes the music even more hyper. In addition, the rhythm section keeps the proceedings consistently stimulating. The main focus on these standards and originals is generally on Watts' tenor, and even though there isn't all that much variety, this CD is a strong example of his jazz talents.