New Jazz Quintet & Quartet (2 10-inch + 1 Lp On 1 Cd)

Phil Woods

Featuring: Phil Woods (as), Jon Eardley (tp), George Syran, John Williams (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Nick Stabulas (d)

When altoist Phil Woods (1931-2015) made his leader debut on record in 1954 his major influence was Bird, but his own style was already emerging on both his first album and on the second, recorded the following year with the same quintet. With four men, including Woods, in their 20s—bassist Teddy Kotick was the sole veteran—the group was full of fire and vigour; trumpeter Eardley, later to join Gerry Mulligan, made his recording debut here, as did pianist George Syran and drummer Nick Stabulas. But both 10-inch albums have much more than youthful zest to commend them. The playing is rich, accurate and full of imagination, with stimulating originals garnished by the warm and sensitive soloing of Woods and Eardley in particular, their assured contributions ably backed by a rhythm section solidly buttressed by Teddy Kotick, who had played with Bird, Getz and others.

“Woodlore,” the third album here, was Woods’ first 12-inch LP of his own, and the first set on which he was the only horn. His swinging alto is moving and emotional, with an almost ferocious individuality of conception, and the rhythm section, with John Williams on piano, and again with Stabulas and a superb Kotick, exuberantly embraces the group temperament and intensity of pulsation.


Tracklisting:

01. Pot Pie (Eardley) 5:14
02. Open Door (Syran) 5:26
03. Robin’ Bobbin’ (Woods) 5:19
04. Mad About the Boy (Coward) 6:34
05. Cobblestones (Syran) 5:10
06. Toos-Bloos (Eardley) 4:57
07. Horse Shoe Curve (Eardley) 4:20
08. Sea Beach (Woods) 4:48
09. Woodlore (Woods) 5:20
10. Falling In Love All Over Again (Hefti) 4:42
11. Be My Love (Cahn-Brodszky) 5:35
12. Slow Boat to China (Loesser) 5:02
13. Get Happy (Arlen-Koehler) 6:44
14. Strollin’ with Pam (Woods) 5:20


Sources:

Tracks #1-4, from the 10-inch album 
“New Jazz Quintet” (New Jazz NJLP1104)

Tracks #5-8, from the 10-inch album 
“New Jazz Quintet - Encores” (Prestige PRLP191)

Tracks #9-14, from the 12-inch album 
“Woodlore” (Prestige LP7018)



Personnel on “New Jazz Quintet”:

Jon Eardley, trumpet; Phil Woods, alto sax; George Syran, piano; Teddy Kotick, bass; Nick Stabulas, drums.

Recorded at Van Gelder’s Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey, on October 12, 1954


Personnel on “Encores”:

Jon Eardley, trumpet; Phil Woods, alto sax; George Syran, piano; Teddy Kotick, bass; Nick Stabulas, drums.

Recorded at Van Gerder’s Studio Hackensack, New Jersey, on February 4, 1955


Personnel on "Woodlore":

Phil Woods, alto sax; John Williams, piano; Teddy Kotick, bass; Nick Stabulas, drums.

Recorded at Van Gelder’s Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey, on November 25, 1955



Original recordings produced by Bob Weinstock

Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Original cover photography: Bob Weinstock

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol


Hi Fi · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered