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The great Phil Woods has passed.

The great Phil Woods died two days ago of complications from emphysema; a sad day for music, jazz in particular and the saxophone world. He was one of the greatest saxophonists to ever live and was much more than a jazz player. He was that rare improviser who could really sound at home playing in any style or genre; as well as being a classically trained clarinetist, composer and orchestrator. Sometimes referred to as "the new Bird" he brought Charlie Parker's bebop style into a more modern era and was revered by his peers as well as jazz buffs. A truly great loss.

Early Phil:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wrhRhuKQXlw

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ai3oU-O4h7k

More recent Phil:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GnuJThWZuxM

Many pop music fans have heard his genius without realizing it:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HaA3YZ6QdJU

For a more personal and fascinating peek into the man's personality and life as a musician and jazz player:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6SJxmCzYpoo

He announced his retirement from performing less than a month ago at a performance/recreation of the classic "Charlie Parker Plays Bird With Strings" sessions. That night he announced that it would be his last performance. Incredible.
frogman

Showing 1 response by orpheus10

orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

He was one of the great ones, and he will be missed.

As hard as I've tried, I still can not make the transition from old to new; his version of "Stolen Moments" is "old school" and I could listen to it all night long, going deeper and deeper into the beauty of the tune exactly as Mr. Woods is doing.

I noticed how Mr. Woods changed his style just a bit to get into the ebb and flow of Michell Legrand, and stay within the soul of the tune; that's the mark of a master musician.

Billy Joel "The Stranger", has been one of my favorite tunes from the day it came out, and today was my first discovery that beautiful sax solo was Phil Woods; such an unbelievable oversight is not uncommon with me, I just listen to the music without bothering to read who's playing it. From now on, when I play that tune, I'll drink a toast to Mr. Phil Woods.

Thank you so much Frogman for sharing some of your many memories of Mr. Phil Woods, and his music.
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