Bobby Watson, (b. Aug. 23, 1953, Lawrence, KS.) came from a musical family, and by the time he was 18, came to New York, where he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. With a line up that included Valery Ponamarev, David Schnitter, James Williams and other outstanding musicians, Watson soon became musical director of the Messengers. The band eventually came to include Wynton Marsalis, Billy Pierce and Charles Fambrough, among others. Watson wrote "Ms. B.C." (for the legendary Betty Carter) and "In Case You Missed It" (also called "Fuller Love," in honor of the trombone player, Curtis Fuller) both songs appearing on one of Blakey's greatest albums, "Album of the Year" (1980). Also wrote "Hawkman," "E.T.A.," "Wheel Within a Wheel" and many other songs while part of Blakey's group.