Ken Watters is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist renowned for blending neo‑bop jazz with world and Caribbean influences. He has performed, recorded, or toured with luminary artists such as Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Marc Anthony, Cee‑Lo Green, Jason Isbell, Ravi Coltrane, Brad Mehldau, and the Mingus Big Band. A winner of the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition while at the University of North Texas, he also studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, Manhattan School of Music, and The Banff Centre as a full‑scholarship recipient, working alongside trumpet greats like Lew Soloff, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, and Kenny Wheeler.

 In his own projects, Watters has consistently pushed musical boundaries. His Haitian‑Caribbean‑infused ensemble RIYEL released a self-titled album on Summit Records in 2010, which climbed to #2 on the JazzWeek World Music charts. He also co-leads the Watters‑Felts Project, a sextet featuring some of the Southeast’s most in-demand musicians, including vocalist Ingrid Felts. A SESAC-affiliated composer and Yamaha Performing Artist, Watters remains a sought-after studio and live performer across jazz, R&B, pop, world music, and spoken word genres.