Tag Archives: Woody Shaw

Listening Room – “The Time Is Right”

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The Time Is Right

Woody Shaw – “Time Is Right”

Woody Shaw – “You And The Night And The Music”

From “The Time Is Right” : 1983 : Red 123168-2

This 1983 album was recorded live in Italy and features one of the strongest bands that Woody Shaw would put together in the final phase of his amazing career.  The album has four long tracks (three clock in at over 12 minutes and the other is more than 10 minutes long) and allows all the players to really stretch out and show their chops.  Why Shaw has not achieved legendary status outside of the jazz world, along with the fact that many of his greatest albums (including this one) remain out of print, is anyone’s guess.  This is advanced hard-bop jazz played at its highest level.

Players:
Woody Shaw – Trumpet
Steve Turre – Trombone
Mulgrew Miller – Piano
James Stafford – Bass
Tony Reedus – Bass

Woody Shaw & Johnny Griffin – “A Night in Tunisia”

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Recorded in Koln, Germany in 1986.  Woody Shaw on trumpet, Johnny Griffin on Tenor, John Hicks on Piano, Reggie Johnson on the bass and Alvin Queen on drums.  Griffin – “The Little Giant” – absolutely tears it up, showing that he hadn’t lost a step since his early days and Shaw is cookin’ right along side him!

Listening Room – “Brilliant Circles”

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Brilliant Circles 2

Stanley Cowell – Brilliant Circles

Stanley Cowell – Bobby’s Tune

From “Brilliant Circles” : 1969 : Arista Freedom A 1009

This 1969 session was Stanley Cowell’s second as a leader and finds him fronting a fantastic sextet that includes Woody Shaw and Bobby Hutcherson.  The players are at their creative best and the music is a challenging blend of hard bop and the avant-garde.  The album was originally released on the Arista Freedom label and briefly re-issued by Black Lion on CD, but is currently (and ridiculously) out-of-print.

Players:
Stanley Cowell – Piano
Tyrone Washington – Tenor Sax
Woody Shaw – Trumpet
Bobby Hutcherson – Vibes
Reggie Workman – Bass
Joe Chambers – Drums

Listening Room – “Blackstone Legacy

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Blackstone Legacy

Woody Shaw – Blackstone Legacy

Woody Shaw – Boo Ann’s Grand

From “Blackstone Legacy” : 1970 : Contemporary 7627/8

Originally issued as a double LP, this 1970 record was trumpeter Woody Shaw’s debut as a leader and was ambitious to say the least.  The music on “Blackstone Legacy” is not easy to classify, and a look at the lineup that Shaw assembled for the session gives a hint at the exciting music within.  Bennie Maupin and Gary Bartz on the saxophones, two bassists:  Ron Carter & Clint Houston and Lenny White on the drums were all players that had experience with the progressive jazz Shaw was looking to put down on wax.  A landmark recording in the realm of modern music, any fan of creative music should give it a listen.

Players:
Woody Shaw – Trumpet
Bennie Maupin – Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Flute
Gary Bartz – Alto & Soprano Sax
George Cables – Electric Piano
Ron Carter – Bass
Clint Houston – Bass
Lenny White – Drums

Listening Room – “Demon’s Dance”

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Demon's Dance

Jackie McLean – “Demon’s Dance”

Jacke McLean – “Floogeh”

From “Demon’s Dance” : 1967 : Blue Note

Jackie McLean recorded “Demon’s Dance” for Blue Note in 1967.  The title track is a classic and the up-tempo Floogeh is one of many highlights of a great record.  Amazingly, this was McLean’s final Blue Note recording, ending an amazing streak of nearly ten years and over twenty consistently high-quality records for the label.

Players:
Jackie McLean – Alto Sax
Woody Shaw – Trumpet
Lamont Johnson – Piano
Scott Holt – Bass
Jack DeJohnette – Drums