Combining artistry, warmth and emotional depth, Calling You Home showcases Jim Watson’s nuanced approach to the piano. His original compositions range from the rhythmically intense ‘Darkstar Sky’ to the effortlessly intricate ‘Tetrad’. The lyrical ‘The Vow’ is a heartfelt tribute to his marriage, while the delicately woven waltz ‘Terzetto’ and the spirited ‘Midge’ – named after his dog – add contrast and charm. The title track, a gospel-tinged piece named by Watson’s wife, forms the emotional core of the album.

Alongside these originals, Watson offers innovative arrangements of beloved standards, including Hoagy Carmichael’s ‘The Nearness of You’, Thelonious Monk’s ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered’ by Rodgers and Hart – the latter featuring a gentle nod to the stride piano style that influenced Watson’s early years. His interpretation of Paul Simon’s ‘Old Friends’ and a moving rendition of The Band’s ‘The Weight’ reflect Watson’s wide-ranging musical influences. Jazz classics such as ‘Body and Soul’ and ‘Round Midnight’ are treated with sensitivity, highlighting the timeless beauty of their melodies.

Calling You Home is a musical homecoming – a return to the origins of Jim Watson’s creative journey. Drawing on memories of playing the piano alone as a child, the album is steeped in intimacy, spontaneity and a sense of artistic freedom. “It’s how I began playing as a child – how we all start,” says Watson. “I just wanted to go in and do something that felt easy and natural – a return to where it all started, the place I feel most happy.”