THE PHIL WOODS QUARTET

 

 

 

Saxophonist Phil Woods has won critical acclaim from all over the world, but feels that the
greatest praise he has ever received came from the legendary Charlie Parker. After hearing Woods
perform one night, the “Bird” said, “Sounds good, kid.”

“I felt 10-feet tall,” says Woods, and his advice to young musicians now is, “If you just get on the
bus; listen to the older guys and keep your mouth shut, you’ll learn.” There is nc question that Phil
Woods has “learned.” He has been compared favorably to Parker-and has won down beat critigs’
and readers’ polls along with two Grammy Awards, to mention just a few of his ma&‘y
accomplishments.

Time magazine has written, “In addition to being the sweetest saxophone player this side of
Stan Getz, Phil Woods is one of the toughest, most durable jazz masters.” Noted critic Leonard
Feather has said of Woods, “He plays with soul, fire, melodic ingenuity and complete command.
His interpretation is a marvel of logic and finesse.” -

Born in Springfield, Mass., in 1931, Woods studied with Lennie Tristano as well as at the Juilliard
School of Music. He has appeared with such jazz greats as Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and
Thelonious Monk. In 1968, he moved to Europe where he formed the “European Rhythm Machine”
which became possibly the most renowned jazz ensemble on that continent. The great German critic
Joachim Berendt stated, “No other altoist transformed the Charlie Parker heritage so consistently
into contemporary jazz.”

Woods dissolved the “Machine” in 1973 and returned to the United States where he “intends
to stay.” Besides forming his Quartet, he became a prolific composer with such works as “Rites of
Swing” and “Sun Suite” to his credit. He has also been featured in several film scores including
“The Hustler,” “Blow-Up” and “Twelve Angry Men.”

The other members of the Phil Woods Quartet are pianist/composer Mike Melillo, bassist Str v«
Gilmore and percussionist Bill Goodwin.