CiTR

Phil Woods was one of the great alto saxophone masters. He arrived on the New York scene in the early 50s and established himself as a major voice. Arguably the 3 young heralds of the alto saxophone after Charlie Parker's death in March 1955 were Phil Woods, Jackie McLean and a young school teacher from Florida named Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. Woods recorded as a leader and worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Quincy Jones. In the 60s he was everywhere but despite his success and ubiquity he left the country with his family and settled in Europe for almost 5 years and was a total success there with his "European Rhythm Machine". Upon his return newly single and an unhappy experiment living in L.A., Mr Woods landed in New York where he felt at home and made this momentous recording with this superb all-star rhythm section. Woods was challenged as he had never played with them before but rose to the challenge and delivered this wonderful album, definitely one of his finest! "Music Du Bois" is a Woods' classic. Two great Woods' originals grace the date. A new take on "Willow Weep For Me". Wayne Shorter's exotic "Nefertiti". The gorgeous ballad by Michel Legrand: "The Summer Knows" and a fine finish with Sonny Rollins' "Airegin". Musique Du Bois stands as a monument to Woods' vast output and is tonight's Jazz Feature.