During a major portion of his career,
Phil Woods predominately led a quartet or quintet, so the opportunity to work with his
Little Big Band gave him a special pleasure, by expanding both the brass and reeds to an octet. His third release to feature the octet includes his working quintet at the time, including trombonist
Hal Crook, pianist
Jim McNeely, plus his longtime rhythm section, bassist
Steve Gilmore and drummer
Bill Goodwin. Guests include
Woods' former sideman trumpeter/flugelhornist
Tom Harrell, alto and baritone saxophonist
Nick Brignola, plus alto and tenor saxophonist
Nelson Hill. Although the economics of touring with a band this size made it impossible to tour, the musicians dove into the difficult arrangements with plenty of gusto and end up sounding as if they had been playing them in concert for months.
McNeely's challenging "Real Life" is especially inspired, while
Woods is joined by both
Brignola and
Hill on alto saxes for a bluesy rendition of "Quill," a tribute to
Woods' former partner,
Gene Quill. The leader switches to clarinet for the powerful "Waltz for Harry," written in memory of
Woods' former guitarist,
Harry Leahey;
Harrell's warm flugelhorn and
McNeely's piano solo are also featured.
Harrell's "Sail Away," one of his most important compositions, is arranged by
Woods to feature
Crook's potent trombone. The program ends with a boisterous rendition of
Woods' usual set closer, including snatches of several pieces, among them
Dizzy Gillespie's famous introduction to "All the Things You Are," a blistering bit of "52nd Street Theme," plus the closing tags of "Salt Peanuts" and "Harlem Nocturne." Sadly, this would be the final recording of this octet, as the death of
Nick Brignola in 2002 prevented a reunion of this particular lineup of jazz all-stars.