Phil Woods with Red Garland - Sugan

1994 CD reissue.

This highly successful blowing session works because of overlapping links among players and material. Bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Nick Stabulas were frequent partners, in the groups of leader Phil Woods and others. Kotick and pianist Red Garland also had working experience with Charlie Parker, whose compositions are heard here as well as those of Woods, who then and now was one of Jazz’s leading Parkerites. Beyond these connections, there is the undeniable chemistry that Woods and trumpeter Ray Copeland generate in ensembles (“Steeplechase” and “Green Pines,” for example) and the inspirational support of Garland’s piano. Garland made a minor career out of notable guest shots with alto saxophonists–hear Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section & McLean’s Scene, and he is once again at his best on this boppish encounter.