Alto Saxophonist/Composer Jimmy Woods: "Awakening!"

This month of October The Jazz Show presents as our Jazz Features lesser known or obscure exponents of the alto saxophone. All of these players are well worth hearing and if you've never heard of most of them it's because in the majority of cases they recorded little or were on the Jazz scene briefly. In the case of tonight's artist Jimmy Woods, he only recorded two albums under his own name and we are presenting his first and his debut date. It's a real showcase for his talent and his individual approach to the alto. Jimmy has an adventurous concept and a beautiful haunting hollow sound from his horn. He is also a fine composer too. This album is in two different sessions, the first with either Martin Banks or Joe Gordon on trumpet with Jimmy out front and a fine rhythm section with Amos Trice on piano, Jimmy Bond on bass and Milton Turner on drums. The second is Jimmy alone with Dick Whittington on piano, Gary Peacock on bass and Turner on drums. Jimmy disappeared from the Jazz scene in the mid 60s and although he was born in St Louis on Oct.29,1934 his whereabouts are unknown. "Awakening!" is a masterful debut album and should have catapulted Jimmy Woods to a long career in music but didn't. It's a listening treat.