Description:

Gary Giddins, jazz critic and author, introduces jazz legend, Phil Woods. Giddins begins with Woods' column, Phil In The Gap, featured the newsletter, The Note. It is free and anyone can subscribe. Giddins continues to explain that Woods is the greatest living alto saxophone player. Woods lives the jazz life. Also in this segment, Giddins provides background on Phil Woods. Woods was born in Springfield and came of age in the era of Charlie Parker. He studied with Lennie Tristano and at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music. Giddins also discusses Woods' early recordings. The turning point in Woods' career is covered as well - when he toured with Dizzy Gillespie. Giddins explains that after jazz started to slow down, Woods went to Europe. When he came back, he put together a group that still exists today. Also in this segment, Giddins shares why he finds Phil Woods' career exciting. After Phil returned, there was a sense of determination, focus, vitality, and an ownership of the saxophone. Woods' is also a songwriter. Also, Giddins points out that an individual's style is whoever they are. Woods' personality emerges when he performs. His bands and current location are covered as well.