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Saxophonist and composer Phil Woods has one of the most recognizable instrumental "voices" in jazz. His technique is spellbinding, with a big tone and an energy that, in the words of Billy Taylor, "breathe fire into" the music. |
Woods was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he received thorough training in the art of improvisation from his music teacher, Harvey LaRose. LaRose explained to Phil the theory behind compositions, accompanied Phil on piano, and helped him study solo transcriptions by legendary saxophonist Benny Carter.
During the 1950s, Woods moved to New York, where he studied at the Manhattan School of Music, the Julliard Conservatory, and with Lennie Tristano. Along with the work of Cannonball Adderley, Gene Quill, and Jackie McLean, Woods' playing helped define hard-bop for the alto sax during this decade. Though Charlie Parker was a strong influence for the young Woods, he developed his own, distinctive sound very early on.
In the early 1970s, Phil Woods experimented with avant garde jazz and "fusion." However, in 1973 he returned to bebop, starting what would become his critically acclaimed quartet with pianist Mike Melillo, bassist Steve Gilmore, and drummer Bill Goodwin. The quartet has since become a quintet -- Gilmore and Goodwin still provide rhythm, and pianist Bill Charlap and trumpeter Brian Lynch round out the lineup.
Phil Woods is a five-time Grammy winner and a multiple-time winner of Down Beat magazine's readers' poll. He lives in Delaware Water Gap, PA, and continues to work as a soloist, bandleader, composer, and arranger throughout the world.
Set List for Phil Woods on Piano JazzHow About You (Freed/Lane)
A Sleepin' Bee (Capote/Arlen)
Lover Man (Davis/Ramirez/Sherman)
Twilight World (McPartland/Mercer)
Blue Skies (Berlin)
I'll See You Again (Coward)
How High The Moon (Hamilton/Lewis)
Love You Madly (E. K. Ellington)
Fine and Dandy (Kay)
Official Web Site
During the 1950s, Woods moved to New York, where he studied at the Manhattan School of Music, the Julliard Conservatory, and with Lennie Tristano. Along with the work of Cannonball Adderley, Gene Quill, and Jackie McLean, Woods' playing helped define hard-bop for the alto sax during this decade. Though Charlie Parker was a strong influence for the young Woods, he developed his own, distinctive sound very early on.
In the early 1970s, Phil Woods experimented with avant garde jazz and "fusion." However, in 1973 he returned to bebop, starting what would become his critically acclaimed quartet with pianist Mike Melillo, bassist Steve Gilmore, and drummer Bill Goodwin. The quartet has since become a quintet -- Gilmore and Goodwin still provide rhythm, and pianist Bill Charlap and trumpeter Brian Lynch round out the lineup.
Phil Woods is a five-time Grammy winner and a multiple-time winner of Down Beat magazine's readers' poll. He lives in Delaware Water Gap, PA, and continues to work as a soloist, bandleader, composer, and arranger throughout the world.
Set List for Phil Woods on Piano Jazz
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