Bop Stew [live]

by Scott YanowPhil Woods is in particularly inventive form throughout this live set from the 1987 Fujitsu-Concord Jazz Festival. Joined by his longtime quintet (with trumpeter Tom Harrell, pianist Hal Galper, bassist Steve Gilmore, and drummer Bill Goodwin), the altoist stretches out on five selections, including a clarinet feature on "Poor Butterfly" and two of his originals. Galper's "Bop Stew" (which quotes several bop-era songs) is a highlight. Virtually every Phil Woods recording is easily recommended to modern mainstream jazz fans (he is one of the most consistent of all jazzmen), but this one seems even a touch more inspired than usual.