American jazz saxophonist Ernie Watts, born in 1945, is a Grammy Award-winning musician renowned for his powerful and expressive playing. Throughout his career, spanning over five decades, he has been a prominent sideman for artists like Charlie Haden and Frank Zappa, and a prolific leader of his own ensembles, contributing significantly to the post-bop and contemporary jazz landscape. His distinctive sound and improvisational prowess have solidified his reputation as a master of the saxophone.