Gene Watts is an American-born trombonist and a founding member of the Canadian Brass

Canadian Brass

The Canadian Brass is a brass quintet founded by Dr. Charles Daellenbach and Gene Watts in 1970. In addition to maintaining a heavy international touring schedule, the Canadian Brass have recorded over 80 CDs and DVDs...

, a brass quintet

Brass quintet

A brass quintet is a five-piece musical ensemble composed of brass instruments. The most common instrumentation is two trumpets or cornets, one horn, one trombone or euphonium/baritone horn, and one tuba or bass trombone....

 based in Canada, known worldwide for its virtuosic skill, broad range of musical fare, and humorous presentation style.

Mr. Watts was born in Missouri

Missouri

Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...

, and studied at the University of Missouri

University of Missouri

The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...

 at Columbia and the New England Conservatory in Boston. He served as an orchestral trombonist for several American orchestras. He was hand-picked by conductor

Conducting

Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...

 Seiji Ozawa

Seiji Ozawa

is a Japanese conductor, particularly noted for his interpretations of large-scale late Romantic works. He is most known for his work as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Vienna State Opera.-Early years:...

 as principal trombonist for the Toronto Symphony, where he met Charles Daellenbach

Charles Daellenbach

Charles "Chuck" Daellenbach is an American-Canadian tuba player. He is one of the founders of the Canadian Brass and remains the quintet's tuba player.-Early life and personal life:...

, and persuaded him to start the Canadian Brass in 1970.

In 2010 he retired from touring, and is now listed as an "Emeritus" member of the Canadian Brass. He currently resides in Toronto.