Harry F. Watters

KHS America
Cocoa Beach, FL

The Gottlieb/Danielsson Group with Hans Backenroth & Harry Watters will showcase creativity spanning decades of combined international acclaim.

Jazz pianist, composer and educator Per Danielsson is a native of Stockholm, Sweden and a graduate of the University of North Texas. He completed his Master's degree in jazz studies, composition and arranging, studying with Chuck Owen at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Per now holds the position of Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Central Florida. He has served on the JEN Presidential advisory board and is currently Artistic Director of the American Jazz Pianist Competition.

A native of Seattle, Tamara Danielsson received NAJE’s high school New Young Talent Award and then completed her B.M. in jazz studies from the University of North Texas. There she was the first woman to earn a coveted spot as lead alto saxophonist in the Grammy winning One O’Clock Lab Band. Tamara is a proud member of Chuck Owen’s innovative Jazz Surge Big Band, who’s last three recordings garnered a total of 7 Grammy nominations, including Best Large Jazz Ensemble.

Since the mid 90s Hans Backenroth has been considered to be one of Scandinavia's premier bassists! He regularly works with choirs and has collaborated with the Swedish Radio choir, Gustaf Sjökvists Kammarkör and Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunk in Munich. Internationally, he has collaborated with many of the leading names in jazz, including Harry "Sweets" Edison, Toots Thielemans, Clark Terry, Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, Buddy DeFranco, James Moody and Kenny Barron, among countless others.

Danny Gottlieb is one of the most popular drummers in jazz and contemporary music. Although best known as the drummer in the original Pat Metheny Group, during the past 30 years Danny has performed and recorded with some of the world’s greatest musicians. They include: Bobby McFerrin, Sting, John McLaughlin, Gil Evans, Gary Burton, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, David Byrne, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Al Di Meola, and many more. He is featured on more than 300 CDs to date, including four Grammy Award Winners.

Beth Gottlieb's career covers the entire musical spectrum. She is a member of the Lt. Dan Band with actor Gary Sinise, Principal Percussionist with the Walt Disney World Candlelight Orchestra, Percussion and Drum Circle Coordinator for Victor Wooten's “Wooten Woods”, and percussionist with many touring artists, shows, and recording projects. She has performed and/or recorded at EPCOT with the Future Corps, Future World Brass, Amy Grant, Andy Williams, Henry Mancini and countless other luminaries.

Harry Watters' Summit releases include Love Songs and the acclaimed Brothers discs with trumpeter Ken Watters. After graduation from the University of North Texas, Harry spent four years touring and recording with the Dukes of Dixieland. While working at night on Bourbon Street, a sleep-deprived Watters attended the University of New Orleans by day, serving as the graduate assistant to Professor Ellis Marsalis. Harry later served with The United States Army Band in Washington, DC. He now resides with his family in The Netherlands.

Disclosure information not submitted.

Presentation(s):

• The Gottlieb/Danielsson Group, with Hans Backenroth & Harry Watters

  Thursday, January 8, 2026
  5:00 PM - 5:50 PM CST