Moving to France in 1968, Woods formed the more avant garde-leaning  European Rhythm Machine and stayed for five years, declaring that in Europe he was a leader, where in the US he was just a sideman. Returning in 1973 he enjoyed nearly four more decades of commercial success including four Grammy awards and credit for a much-lauded but ultimately saccharin solo in Billy Joel’s 1977 hit “Just the way You Are”.  (Oh oh, here come the Billy Joel fans! They look mad as hell)  Finally, in 2007, Woods was given national recognition with the prestigious “Jazz Master” award. Currently hanging in there, age 82, one of the few giants of the Bop era still standing.

A master of rapid lyrical flow and use of the alto’s full register, rather than mainly the sqeaky top end beloved of David Sanborn and Kenny G. Oh, me and my mouth. Help! Now the fusion fans are screaming for blood!