Phil Woods

Philip Wells Woods (born in 1931) is an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.

Related Topics:
1931 - Jazz - Saxophonist - Clarinetist

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Woods studied music with Lennie Tristano, at the Manhattan School of Music, and at The Juilliard School; his principal instrument at the time was clarinet. Once graduated, he quickly acquired a reputation as the pre-eminent bop saxophonist of the day; although he did not copy Charlie "Bird" Parker, bop's greatest saxophonist, he was known as the New Bird.

Related Topics:
Lennie Tristano - Manhattan School of Music - The Juilliard School - Bop - Charlie "Bird" Parker

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Since 1955 Woods has worked mainly with groups he has led, but he has also worked for or with Charlie Barnet, Jimmy Raney, George Wallington, Gene Quill, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich, Quincy Jones, Benny Goodman, Benny Carter, Thelonious Monk, Billy Joel, and Michel Legrand.

Related Topics:
Charlie Barnet - Jimmy Raney - George Wallington - Gene Quill - Dizzy Gillespie - Buddy Rich - Quincy Jones - Benny Goodman - Benny Carter - Thelonious Monk - Billy Joel - Michel Legrand

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After moving to France in 1968, Woods led The European Rhythm Machine, a group which tended toward avant-garde jazz. He returned to the United States in 1972 and, after an unsuccessful attempt to establish an electronic group, he formed a quintet which was still performing, with some changes of personnel, in 2004. As his theme, Woods uses a piece titled "How's Your Mama?".

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Woods has also recorded extensively, both as a leader and sideman. Perhaps his best known recorded work as a sideman is a pop piece, his alto sax solo on Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are."

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Phil Woods married Chan Parker, the widow of Charlie Parker, and was step-father to Parker's daughter, Kim, and his son, Baird.

Related Topics:
Chan Parker - Charlie Parker

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