Post-Bop, Hard Bop
Woody Shaw - Trumpet, Producer, Flugelhorn
Alfred Lion Producer
Amy DiDonato Production Coordination
Anthony Braxton Clarinet
Azar Lawerence Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Bob Cranshaw Bass
Buster Williams Bass
Carl Allen Drums
Cecil McBee Bass
Cedar Walton Piano
David Gahr Photography
Don Sickler Producer
Elvin Jones Drums
Gene Paul Mastering
Guilherme Franco Percussion
Herbie Hancock Piano
Horace Silver Piano
J.J. Johnson Trombone
Joe Chambers Bass, Drums
Joe Henderson Sax (Tenor)
Joel Dorn Producer
Kenny Barron Piano
Kenny Garrett Sax (Alto)
Kirk Lightsey Piano
Larry Young Organ, Piano
Michael Cuscuna Liner Notes, Producer
Muhal Richard Abrams Piano
Nancy Dwyer Design
Neil Swainson Bass
Onaje Allan Gumbs Piano, Piano (Electric)
Page Simon Design, Illustrations
Paul Chambers Bass
Ray Drummond Bass
Roger Humphries Drums
Ron Carter Bass
Steve Turre Trombone
Tony Waters Conga
Victor Jones Drums
Victor Lewis Drums
Woody Shaw was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time and all of his music deserves to be reissued and studied. This two-CD set is merely a sampling of his works, and despite some excellent liner notes from Michael Cuscuna, the programming is a bit odd. The second disc has the earliest recordings including two items ("Nutville" and "The Moontrane") that were leased and originally part of sessions led by pianist Horace Silver and organist Larry Young. In addition, there are four selections from the 1965 recording Cassandranite (which, like the rest of the material, was originally issued by Muse) and two numbers from 1974. The first disc has "Jitterbug Waltz" from the 1977 recording The Iron Men, and draws its six other selections (dating from 1983-87) from the Setting Standards, Imagination and Solid albums. The music is quite rewarding and the sidemen include Anthony Braxton on clarinet (for "Jitterbug Waltz"); pianists Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron and Herbie Hancock; trombonist Steve Turre; altoist Kenny Garrett; and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, among many others. But true Woody Shaw fans will prefer to get the original sessions in full, and fortunately 32 Jazz has also been gradually reissuing all of their Shaw Muse albums. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Woody Shaw
Active Decades: '60s, '70s and '80s
Born: Dec 24, 1944 in Laurinburg, NC
Died: May 10, 1989 in New York, NY
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Neo-Bop, Post-Bop, Hard Bop, Mainstream Jazz, Progressive Jazz
Woody Shaw was one of the top trumpeters of the 1970s and '80s, a major soloist influenced by Freddie Hubbard but more advanced harmonically, who bridged the gap between hard bop and the avant-garde. Unfortunately, his career was hampered by failing eyesight, and his premature death from injuries incurred after being hit by a subway train was a major loss. Shaw grew up in Newark, NJ, where his father was a member of the Diamond Jubilee Singers. After starting on bugle, he switched to the trumpet when he was 11. Shaw left town for a tour with Rufus Jones when he was 18, and then joined Willie Bobo at a time when Bobo's band included Chick Corea. Shaw played and recorded with Eric Dolphy and, after being invited by Dolphy, he traveled to Paris in 1964 just a little too late to join the late saxophonist's band. After a period in Europe playing with (among others) Bud Powell and Johnny Griffin, Shaw spent periods in the groups of Horace Silver (1965-1966), Max Roach (1968-1969), and Art Blakey (1973), in addition to making many recordings (some as a sideman for Blue Note) with such players as Jackie McLean, Andrew Hill, and McCoy Tyner. Other than playing with Dexter Gordon in 1976, Shaw was primarily a leader from this point on, recording for Columbia (important sessions reissued in a Mosaic box set), Red, Enja, Elektra, Muse, and Timeless, plus two Blue Note dates co-led with Freddie Hubbard. His album Rosewood from 1978 earned a Grammy nomination and won the Down Beat Reader's Poll for Best Jazz Album. Although considered a titan in the jazz world during his life, interest and respect for Shaw's music has only grown since his passing.
--- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
