"Phil Woods, an alto saxophonist revered
in jazz circles for his bright, clean sound
and his sterling technique — and widely
heard on songs by Billy Joel, Paul Simon
and others — died on Tuesday in East
Stroudsburg, Pa. He was 83.
The cause was complications of
emphysema, Joel Chriss, his longtime
booking agent, said.
Mr. Woods was one of the leading alto
saxophonists in the generation that
followed Charlie Parker, who had set an
imposing new bar for the instrument
while defining the terms of bebop.
Rigorous, complex and brisk, bebop’s
stylistic language would be a constant
for Mr. Woods throughout his prolific
career, as both a leader and a sideman." - New York Times, just now.
I suspect Phil is not a favorite player here and its often rather a snide put down to say of someone, 'he played like Phil Woods' (clean but recycled Bird), but he cut some wonderful records, "Right of Swing" on Candid and "Musique de Bois" on Muse with Byard, Davis and Dawson, Booker Ervin's old section. Wonderful.
RIP.
BN.
"Just three weeks ago, jazz legend and
saxophonist Phil Woods gave a historic
performance of Charlie Parker’s classic ‘With
Strings’ album alongside the Pittsburgh
Symphony Orchestra.
However, right before launching into his last
song of the night, Gerry Mulligan’s “Rocker,” he
explained that his emphysema had worsened and
as a result the song would, in fact, serve as his
last performance ever .
On September 4, 2015 Phil Woods left his alto
saxophone on stage at the Manchester
Craftsmen’s Guild in Pittsburgh, officially marking
the end of an illustrious 70-year career making
incredible music and serving as inspiration for
countless future musicians.
Now, it is with great sadness we report
that Woods has passed away.
The Bensing-Thomas Funeral Home in
Stroudsburg, PA confirmed that Woods died this
morning (September 29) to The Jazz Line. He
was 83.
Arrangements are currently being made for what
is expected to be a private service for family and
close friends." - Jazz Line.
in jazz circles for his bright, clean sound
and his sterling technique — and widely
heard on songs by Billy Joel, Paul Simon
and others — died on Tuesday in East
Stroudsburg, Pa. He was 83.
The cause was complications of
emphysema, Joel Chriss, his longtime
booking agent, said.
Mr. Woods was one of the leading alto
saxophonists in the generation that
followed Charlie Parker, who had set an
imposing new bar for the instrument
while defining the terms of bebop.
Rigorous, complex and brisk, bebop’s
stylistic language would be a constant
for Mr. Woods throughout his prolific
career, as both a leader and a sideman." - New York Times, just now.
I suspect Phil is not a favorite player here and its often rather a snide put down to say of someone, 'he played like Phil Woods' (clean but recycled Bird), but he cut some wonderful records, "Right of Swing" on Candid and "Musique de Bois" on Muse with Byard, Davis and Dawson, Booker Ervin's old section. Wonderful.
RIP.
BN.
"Just three weeks ago, jazz legend and
saxophonist Phil Woods gave a historic
performance of Charlie Parker’s classic ‘With
Strings’ album alongside the Pittsburgh
Symphony Orchestra.
However, right before launching into his last
song of the night, Gerry Mulligan’s “Rocker,” he
explained that his emphysema had worsened and
as a result the song would, in fact, serve as his
last performance ever .
On September 4, 2015 Phil Woods left his alto
saxophone on stage at the Manchester
Craftsmen’s Guild in Pittsburgh, officially marking
the end of an illustrious 70-year career making
incredible music and serving as inspiration for
countless future musicians.
Now, it is with great sadness we report
that Woods has passed away.
The Bensing-Thomas Funeral Home in
Stroudsburg, PA confirmed that Woods died this
morning (September 29) to The Jazz Line. He
was 83.
Arrangements are currently being made for what
is expected to be a private service for family and
close friends." - Jazz Line.
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