Steve Waterman

b. England. In the early 80s Waterman played trumpet with the Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra, then studied in London at Trinity College of Music and was soon established on the city’s jazz scene. In the mid-80s he recorded with Loose Tubes and the Trinity College Jazz Orchestra under Bobby Lamb. Also in the mid-80s, Waterman recorded with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. In 2003, he formed the Jazz Orchestra along with Derek Lawton, a fine West Country-based big band. Waterman’s small groups vary in their personnel to accommodate shifts in musical concepts. Thus, a band playing Benny Golson’s music included trombonist Mark Nightingale and tenor saxophonist Dave O’Higgins, while the music of Wayne Shorter was performed by Anthony Kerr (vibraphone) and Mike Outram (guitar) and others. Both bands appeared on the acclaimed Stablemates. In 2006 Waterman was working extensively with the Jazz Orchestra and also appeared with the Jeff Hooper Big Band and with Gerard Presencer. Waterman has developed considerable skills as a composer, writing much of the music performed by his own bands. Among his many compositions is ‘Concerto For Congas’, which was written especially for Robin Jones. Waterman performed this work during a visit he made to Cuba with baritone saxophonist George Haslam, who had commissioned the piece for his band, Meltdown. The performances in Cuba included an appearance at the 2002 Havana Jazz Festival. Among other musicians with whom Waterman has played in the UK and on tour in Europe and elsewhere, and sometimes recorded, are Alan Barnes, Carla Bley’s Big Band, Paul Booth, Tony Coe, Graham Collier, Michael Garrick, Don Rendell, Andy Sheppard, John Surman, John Warren, Colin Towns, Mal Waldron and Don Weller. Very active in education Waterman teaches jazz trumpet as a faculty member of the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music, and he has also taught at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Welsh College of Music and Drama. He also conducts workshops and seminars around the world. In collaboration with John O’Neill, he is the author of The Jazz Method For Trumpet.
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