Doug Watkins

An extremely in-demand bassist for saving sessions (particularly when Paul Chambers, his cousin by relationship, had not been available), Doug Watkins was a simple soloist but an excellent accompanist. After attaining experience as you of many extremely talented Detroit jazzmen in the neighborhood picture, touring with Adam Moody (1953) and using Barry Harris Trio, Watkins resolved in NY in 1954. He was an associate of the initial version from the Jazz Messengers from 1955-1956, spent per year with Horace Sterling silver Quintet, and freelanced using a who’s who of hard bop, including Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Gene Ammons, Artwork Farmer, Kenny Burrell, Phil Woods, and Hank Mobley, among numerous others. He was Charles Mingus’ choice to try out bass in his 1961 group when Mingus was briefly specializing on piano. Tragically, a vehicle accident ended his existence at age group 27. Doug Watkins led a program apiece for Changeover (1960) and New Jazz (1960), playing some cello around the latter.