LJS 116: Dominating a Learning Mindset and Transcending Musical Limits (Feat. Kobie Watkins)

Welcome to episode 116 of the LJS Podcast where today we have on a very special guest, drummer, composer and teacher, Kobie Watkins. Kobie has played with the who's who on the jazz scene, and in this show, he shares his story and talks about his mindset of continuous growth and learning. Listen in!
Listen to episode 116







One of my favorite things about doing this show is learning alongside all of you. And yes, I learn even as I teach, but I especially learn a lot having on special guests.
On today's episode, I have on drummer, composer and teacher Kobie Watkins. Kobie has played with a long list of big-time jazz musicians, and that's because he's part of that club. Sonny Rollins, John Patitucci, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Broom, Joe Lovano...and the list goes on and on.
Kobie shares his story of musical growth and how he has developed a mindset of continuous learning. He also shares some of his best tips for crushing it as a musician.
Here's some of what we talk about:
1. Kobie's musical beginnings and how he got started.
2. His mindset around continuous learning.
3. The things he thinks all musicians should be working on.
4. Important lessons he's learned, including one from Sonny Rollins.
5. His new album "Movement."
Make sure you check out Kobie's newest album. See the link below. I learned a lot from him in this interview and I'm sure you will to. What was one of the main takeaways for you? Leave it in the comments below.
Important Links
Kobie Watkins Grouptet "Movement"
Learn Jazz Standards Community Facebook Group







Read the Transcript
Brent: What is up, everybody? My name is Brent, and I am the jazz musician behind the website LearnJazzStandards.com, which is a blog, a podcast, and videos, all geared towards helping you become a better jazz musician. If you are into jazz, and you want to learn how to become a better player, whether you're a beginner just getting started out, intermediate trying to improve, or even if you're an advanced player trying to get some further insight, my friend, you are in the right place.
Thanks for being here. Thanks for listening, and on today's episode 116, I've got a killer special guest on the show. It's drummer, composer, teacher Kobie Watkins. Kobie Watkins is really a powerhouse musician. Really honored to have him on the show. He's played with musicians like Sonny Rollins, Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Curtis Fuller, Jim Hall, John Patitucci, Arturo Sandoval, Roy Haines, Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride, Bobby Broom. I mean, you get the point, right? I mean, he's played with everybody, and I had a great time talking to him, just learning his story and just getting his advice, which he's about to share with you. And I'm so stoked about that.
And you know, Kobie, he has a brand new album coming out with his grouptet. It's called the Kobie Watkins Grouptet. I want you to go check that out at www.KobieWatkinsGrouptet.com. This album is called "Movement", and wow, just a powerhouse bunch of musicians. He's going to talk a little bit about his album at the end, but listen, he also has a very special giveaway that he wants to give away to you guys, my audience. He's going to let me give away something really special to a select number of people. So you're going to have to listen to the very, very end of this show, and I'll tell you all about that. So be sure to listen to the very end.
All right, I don't want to take up any more time. Let's get on the interview. Let's start learning from this jazz master, Kobie Watkins. Let's do this thing.