Noble “Thin Man” Watts was a commanding tenor saxophonist whose career bridged the formative years of rhythm and blues and the evolving soul-blues circuit that followed. Born in DeLand, Florida in 1926, Watts developed his sound during the post-war era, performing with early R&B pioneers and contributing to the touring band of Chuck Willis. His playing combined a strong, honking sax tone with melodic phrasing that made him both a bandleader and a sought-after sideman. Over the decades, he worked with a wide range of artists (Bo Diddley, Lionel Hampton, Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams, Dinah Washington, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, and others) and maintained a reputation for energetic live performances rooted in the classic jump blues tradition.
Watts’ Florida roots remained central throughout his life and career. He was born in Deland and later spent many years based in Jacksonville and then Tampa, where he became a familiar and respected figure in the state’s blues community. Regular appearances at clubs, festivals, and regional events helped connect generations of musicians and audiences across Florida. His continued presence on the circuit well into his later years reflected both his dedication to live performance and his role in sustaining the state’s jazz and blues heritage.
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