What do you get when a former Los Angeles studio guitarist collaborates with his favorite drummer -- who just happens to be a founding member of one of the most iconic rock bands of all-time -- and creates a refreshingly innovative style of smooth jazz?

The answer is Watson’s Riddle, a dynamic new instrumental group formed in Upstate South Carolina by veteran guitarist Steve Watson and original Marshall Tucker Band drummer Paul T. Riddle with legendary pianist Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, Rolling Stones) and top-notch bassist Tim Lawter (Marshall Tucker Band).

Watson’s Riddle will release its debut album later this year. The eclectic fusion effort offers 56 minutes of groove-oriented sonic bliss that evokes an equally wide range of human emotion. It’s the kind of music that can be described as being just what the doctor ordered. As cliché as that might sound, in the case of Watson’s Riddle, it’s literally true.

Watson’s Riddle was conceived when cardiothoracic surgeon Douglas Appleby, M.D., encouraged his friend and guitar instructor Steve to write music that was “emotionally engaging, relaxing and transforming to the human soul.” Watson wrote some of the album’s material during the good doctor’s weekly lessons and eventually took the project to Riddle who brought in Leavell and Lawter.

Leavell's powerful presence is felt throughout the album with his brilliant piano work giving the project an extra dose of aural magic.

Line-up:
Steve Watson - guitars
Paul T. Riddle (Marshall Tucker Band) - drums
Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, Rolling Stones) - pianist
Tim Lawter (Marshall Tucker Band) - bass
Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.