IN 2000, BOBBY WATSON RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN AS THE WILLIAM AND MARY GRANT PROFESSOR/DIRECTOR OF JAZZ STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC. BOBBY'S CONTINUED PRESENCE IN KANSAS CITY IS IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNTY. THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THIS SPECIAL LIVE RECORDING EVENT, AND WHY A PORTION OF THE PROFITS WILL GO TO THE UMKC JAZZ PROGRAM.