Terrarium by Ali Watson

I called my album ‘Terrarium’ primarily because I wanted to create a piece of work which really draws you into its own world. Like a Terrarium it has its very own atmosphere and explores the boundaries between nature and nurture - the terrarium is initially artificially created and over then as you leave it over time nature begins to take over.

"Watson describes his music as ‘complex yet melodic’; drawing on Contemporary Jazz, Scottish Folk, Impressionist Classical music and his heroes in Aaron parks, Kit Downes and Larry Grenadier to make his own distinctive imprint on modern Scottish Jazz. Led by lyrical folk melodies, colourful harmony, intimate instrumental textures and gently propellant grooves, each of Watson’s nine deeply personal compositions are interpreted and performed with maturity, personality and feeling.

United by friendship, a common pool of influences, and similar approaches to collective music making, Watson’s quartet features some of the most celebrated and in-demand young voices in Scottish Jazz - multi-award winning Alan Benzie on piano, Edition Records saxophonist Matt Carmichael, and the highly sought after Greg Irons on drums."

Hailing from the North Coast of Scotland, bassist/composer Ali Watson journeyed to London to pursue his studies in music, returning to his homeland in 2022 to establish himself in Glasgow’s vibrant jazz scene.

Driven by a desire to craft music that served as an escape from the relentlessness and overstimulation of modern life, his debut album ‘Terrarium’ was released on November 26th 2024.

aliwatsonmusic.myportfolio.com