A Critical Discography of Woody Shaw

version <990330.1125>

Now there's a great trumpet player. He can play different from all of them. -- Miles Davis on Woody Shaw

A critical discography of jazz trumpeter Woody Shaw, with selected historical information.

Table of Contents

Preface
Discography by Recording Session
Discography by Album Release
Appendix: Supplementary Information
Format of Discography Entries
Information on Ratings
Solo Transcriptions
References
Definitions of Abbreviations
Index by Artist Name

Preface

The author welcomes contributions from all you knowledgeable people at Internet e-mail address: 
   Todd Poynor <todd@cup.hp.com>
Very many thanks to these contributors:
Rob Aries, Ashot W Bakunts, Harvey Bloomfield, Trina Borras, Thomas Ford Brown, Chet Ciechanowki, William R. Damm, Giancarlo Di Napoli, Gordon H. Fick, Michael Fitzgerald, Michael Frohne, Mark Goldstein, Maxine Gordon, Don Jordan, Bill Kenz, Vladimir Korovkin, Derek Martin, Bob McWilliams, Martin Milgrim, Ashwin Panemangalore, R. Lynn Rardin, Ronald F. Roberts, Alan Saul, Matt Schofield, Marcel Franck Simon
... and the whole USENET rec.music.bluenote population.
This discography is organized in two ways: as a list of recording sessions, and as a list of releases. An index by artist appears at the end of this document. Information on the format of the entries in the discography, the ratings of albums, and the abbreviations used in this document appear in the appendix.

Discography by Recording Session

The Discography by Recording Session is presented as a list of recording sessions in chronological order, with selected biographical information in italics.
Woody Herman Shaw was born on December 24, 1944 in Laurinburg, NC, and raised in Newark, NJ. Woody's first "big time" gig was at the Club Coronet in Brooklyn with Willie Bobo. He met Eric Dolphy there.
Music Makers, Inc.; May-June, 1963
Eric Dolphy - as, fl, b clar; Bobby Hutcherson - vbs; WS - tp; Eddie Kahn - b; J.C. Moses - dr; Charles Moffet - dr; Clifford Jordan - ss; Prince Lasha - fl; Sonny Simmons - as; Huey Simmons - as; Richard Davis - b.
1. Jitterbug Waltz (Waller) 7:05
2. Iron Man (Dolphy) 9:03
3. Mandrake (Dolphy) 4:43
4. Burning Spear (Dolphy) 11:45
Eric Dolphy -- Conversations: track 1
Eric Dolphy -- Iron Man: tracks 2,3,4.
Eric Dolphy -- Jitterbug Waltz
Eric Dolphy -- Memorial Album: track 1
Eric Dolphy -- Music Matador: track 1
Eric Dolphy -- Everest Archives of Folk and Jazz: track 1

Woody's first recording date, and a brilliant debut. One reviewer thought "Woody Shaw" was Freddie Hubbard using a pseudonym.

According to Simosko and Tepperman in "Eric Dolphy: A Musical Biography and Discography", the records were recorded over a 5 session period from late May to early June 1963. Recorded by Alan Douglas in NY. -- Bill Kenz

In 1964, Woody went to Paris, originally slated to appear with Eric Dolphy before his untimely death.
Villingen, Black Forest, Germany; January 30, 1965
WS - tp; Nathan Davis - ts, ss, fl; Larry Young - p; Jimmy Woode - b; Billy Brooks - dr.
1. Happy Girl (Davis) 7:16
2. Theme from Zoltan (WS) 5:07
3. Evolution (Davis) 7:13
4. Along Came Byrd (Davis) 2:16
5. Mister E (Davis) 3:19
Nathan Davis -- Happy Girl
Nathan Davis -- Two Originals

Very good WS, on par with his work with Horace Silver but in a somewhat more progressive ensemble.

Studio de la Comedie des Champs-Elysees, Paris; May 7, 1965
WS - tp; Nathan Davis - ts, ss; Jean-Louis Chautemps - bs; Rene Urtreger - p; Jimmy Woode - b; Kenny Clarke - dr.
1. Klook's Theme (Davis) 4:21
2. Peace Treaty (Davis) 3:41
3. Sconsolato (Woode) 3:25
4. Now Let M' Tell Ya (Davis) 5:57
5. Kansas City Special (Davis) 4:24
Nathan Davis -- Peace Treaty
Nathan Davis -- The Nathan Davis Sextet

Similar to the "Paris Reunion Bands" of the 80's that brought some of these players back together.

Paris, France; May 15, 1965
WS - tp; Ivan Julien - tp; Sonny Grey - tp (1-4); Roger Guerin - tp (5-8); Francois Guin - tb; Raymond Fonseque - tb; Michel Portal - as; Jacques DiDonato - as; Nathan Davis - ts; Henri Jouhard - bs (1-4); Jean-Louis Chautemps - ts (5-8); Jef Gilson - p, arr; Alby Cullaz - b; Jacques Thollot - dr; Bernard Lubat - vbs.
1. Made for Mad
2. Modalito pur Mimi
3. Jazz Gymnopedie
4. Quintes de Tout
5. Jazz a la quatre
6. Nuages de Pierre
7. Happy filou
8. Je me souviens encore du grand orchestre de Dizzy Gillespie en 1948
Jef Gilson -- A Caveau
Woody returned to the US in May, 1965 to take the place of Carmell Jones in Horace Silver's group the following month. Woody remained with Silver for two and a half years, until Silver disbanded the group. Woody has claimed that Silver was unhappy with certain influences Woody and saxophonist Tyrone Washington brought to his music.
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; October 1 and 22, 1965
WS - tp; J.J. Johnson - tb (4-6); Joe Henderson - ts; Horace Silver - p; Bob Cranshaw - b; Roger Humphries - dr.
1. The Cape Verdean Blues (Silver) 4:55
2. The African Queen (Silver) 9:40
3. Pretty Eyes (Silver) 7:30
4. Nutville (Silver) 7:15 [transcribed]
5. Bonita (Silver) 8:38
6. Mo' Joe (Henderson) 5:45
The Horace Silver Quintet -- The Cape Verdean Blues
Horace Silver -- The Best of Horace Silver (Blue Note re-issue series): tracks 1 and 4
Horace Silver -- The Best Of vol. 2 (The Blue Note Years): tracks 1,3,4
Horace Silver -- Greatest Hits: track 1
Joe Henderson -- The Blue Note Years: track 4
various artists -- Blue Bossa: track 1
Woody's solos on "African Queen" and "Nutville" alone are worth the price of admission. Woody's and Henderson's progressive styles are perhaps not the perfect complements to Silver's funkier niche, but the mixture of the two sounds great to this author.

The Penguin guide, on the other hand, lumps Woody together with a number of sidemen described as "typical Silver horns", further asserting that "only Johnson and Henderson [on the records of this period] threaten to be something rather more special".

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; November 10, 1965
Larry Young - org; WS - tp; Joe Henderson - ts; Elvin Jones - dr.
1. Zoltan (WS) 7:36
2. If (Henderson) 6:42
3. The Moontrane (WS) 7:18 [transcribed]
4. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (Romberg/Hammerstein) 6:20
5. Beyond All Limits (WS) 6:00
Larry Young -- Unity
Larry Young -- The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Larry Young
Larry Young -- The Art of Larry Young: track 3
Joe Henderson -- The Blue Note Years: tracks 2,4
Woody's playing here might not stand head and shoulders above his other work, but Unity is a superb album, and Larry Young never sounded better. Woody received a lot of attention for his playing and writing on this date.
The Club Ruby, NYC; mid 1960's
WS - tp; Walter Kelly - tp; Blue Mitchell - tp; Lonnie Smith - p; Peck Morrison - b; Walter Perkins - dr.
1. What's New (19:32)
2. Bag's Groove (15:02)
various artists -- A Trumpet Tribute: A Tribute to Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown & Booker Little
NYC; December, 1965
WS - tp; Joe Henderson - ts; Larry Young - p; Herbie Hancock - p; Ron Carter - b; Paul Chambers - b; Joe Chambers - dr.
1. Cassandranite (WS) 7:00
2. Obsequious (Young) 8:00
3. Baloo Baloo (Johnson) 6:00
4. Three Muses (WS) 6:22
5. Tetragon (Henderson) 6:35
Woody Shaw -- In The Beginning
Woody Shaw -- Cassandranite
Woody Shaw -- Last of the Line
Woody Shaw -- Dark Journey: tracks 1,2,3,5
This session was organized by Woody as a "demo", hoping in vain to gain a recording contract. The recordings were not released commercially until almost two decades later. The session is excellent; indeed, it is difficult to believe no record producer took notice. Woody's style is similar to that used on his recordings with Horace Silver at the time, but these more progressive rhythm sections sound more to Woody's liking.
The Half Note nightclub, NYC; February 11 and 18, 1966
Horace Silver - p; WS - tp; Joe Henderson - ts; Larry Ridley - b; Roger Humphries - dr.
1. The African Queen (Silver) 8:59
2. The African Queen (Silver) 10:20
The Horace Silver Quintet -- The Natives Are Restless Tonight
Horace Silver -- Re-Entry
Soundboard recordings released under legitimate auspices (at least in the case of the Emerald release). The sound quality is poor, but the performances are top-notch.
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; November 2 and 23, 1966
WS - tp; James Spaulding - as, fl; Tyrone Washington - ts; Horace Silver - p; Larry Ridley - b; Roger Humphries - dr.
1. The Jody Grind (Silver) 5:45
2. Mary Lou (Silver) 7:10
3. Mexican Hip Dance (Silver) 5:55
4. Blue Silver (Silver) 7:00
5. Grease Piece (Silver) 7:30
6. Dimples (Silver) 7:20
Horace Silver -- The Jody Grind
Horace Silver -- The Best of Horace Silver (Blue Note re-issue series): track 1
Horace Silver -- The Best Of vol. 2 (The Blue Note Years): tracks 1,3
Horace Silver -- Greatest Hits: track 1
Atlantic Recording Studios, NYC; November 30 & December 1, 1966
Chick Corea - p; Joe Farrell - ts, fl; WS - tp; Steve Swallow - b; Joe Chambers - dr.
1. Straight Up and Down (Corea) 12:32
2. This Is New (Weill/Gershwin) 7:30
3. Litha (Corea) 13:28
4. Inner Space (Corea) 9:18
5. Guijira (Corea) 12:19
Chick Corea -- Tones for Joan's Bones: tracks 1-3
Chick Corea -- Inner Space (LP)
Chick Corea -- Inner Space (CD): tracks 1,3,4,5
Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner: track 2
Chick Corea -- Best Of Chick Corea: track 1
various artists -- Atlantic Jazz: Keyboards: track 1
WS in a hard-blowing mood. Especially recommended for Corea fans.
?; November 15, 1967
WS - tp, flg; Buddy Terry, Joe Thomas - ts; Robbie Porter - bs (1); Larry Young - org; Jiggs Chase - org; Wally Richardson - gtr (1); Jimmy Lewis - b; Eddie Gladden - dr; The Terry Girls - voc.
1. Natural Soul (Sunday Go to Meeting Blues) 6:00
2. Don't Be So Mean 5:35
3. The Revealing Time 12:35
Buddy Terry -- Natural Soul
Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey; December 22, 1967
Jackie McLean - as; WS - tp; LaMont Johnson - p; Scott Holt - b; Jack DeJohnette - dr.
1. Demon's Dance (McLean) 7:09
2. Boo-Ann's Grand (WS) 6:59
3. Sweet Love Of Mine (WS) 6:07
4. Floogeh (McLean) 5:22
5. Message From Trane (Massey) 5:32
Jackie McLean -- Demon's Dance
Penguin notes Woody's performance as the highlight.

Track "Boo-Ann's Grand" is mislabeled "Boo Ann's Grind" on the Blue Note Demon's Dance release.

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; 1967-1968 (?)
WS - tp; James Spaulding - as; Kenny Barron - p; Reggie Workman - b; Joe Chambers - dr.
1. Natural Essence (Washington)
2. Yearning for Love (Washington)
3. Positive Path (Washington)
4. Soul Dance (Washington)
5. Ethos (Washington)
6. Song of Peace (Washington)
Tyrone Washington -- Natural Essence
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; January 19, 1968
Hank Mobley - ts; WS - tp, flg; George Benson - gtr; Lamont Johnson - p; Bob Cranshaw - b; Billy Higgins - dr.
1. Reach Out (I'll Be There) (Holland/Dozier/Holland) 6:47
2. Up Over And Out (Mobley) 5:51
3. Lookin' East (Mobley) 5:17
4. Goin' Out Of My Head (Redanzo-Weinstein) 7:25
5. Good Pickin's (Mobley) 5:30
6. Beverly (Johnson) 7:04
Hank Mobley -- Reach Out!
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; May 24, 1968
Booker Ervin - ts; WS - tp; Kenny Barron - p; Jan Arnett - b; Billy Higgins - dr.
1. Gichi 7:25
2. Den Tex 7:32
3. In A Capricornian Way (WS) 5:47
4. Lynn's Tune 6:10
5. 204 10:15
Booker Ervin -- Booker Ervin
Booker Ervin -- Back From The Gig (Blue Note Reissue Series)
Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey; September 8, 1968
WS - tp; Grachan Moncur III - tb; Jackie McLean - as; Lamont Johnson - p; Scotty Holt - dr; Barbara Simmons - voc.
1. Soul 10:15
2. Conversion Point 9:45
3. Big Ben's Voice 10:06
4. Big Ben's Voice 9:55
5. Erdu 5:54
Jackie McLean -- 'Bout Soul (CD)
Jackie McLean -- 'Bout Soul (LP): tracks 1-3,5
various artists -- Blue Break Beats vol. 3: track 1(?)
The poetry of Ms. Simmons on track "Soul" makes for a quaint period piece. Other tracks are aggressive, energetic hard bop in line with McLean's other late 60's recordings.
Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey; August 23, 1968
WS - tp; Gary Bartz - as, wd fl; Wayne Shorter - ts, clar; Ron Carter - cell; McCoy Tyner - p; Herbie Lewis - b; Freddie Waits - dr.
1. Vision (Tyner) 12:15
2. Song Of Happiness (Tyner) 11:55
3. Smitty's Place (Tyner) 5:20
4. Peresina (Tyner) 10:20
McCoy Tyner -- Expansions
McCoy Tyner -- Best of McCoy Tyner: The Blue Note Years: track ?
An interesting set of Tyner originals/arrangements. WS seems to be uncomfortable soloing at the same time as Bartz during "Smitty's". Warnings for those who don't care for Carter's cello.
Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society, Baltimore, MD; March 30, 1969
Gary Bartz - as, steel dr, bells; WS - tp; Albert Dailey - p; Bob Cunningham - b; Rashied Ali - dr.
1. B.A.M. (Bartz) 11:17
2. Love (Bartz) 11:28
3. Rise (Bartz) 8:45
4. Amal (Bartz) 7:18
5. It Don't Mean a Thing (Ellington/Mills) 5:12
Gary Bartz Ntu Troop -- Home!
Live in New Jersey (probably Rutgers University); April 15, 1969
WS - tp; Carlos Garnett - ts; George Cables - p; Scott Holt - b; Art Blakey - dr.
1. A Night In Tunisia (Paparelli/Gillespie) 22:18
2. Original Theme (WS) 25:46
Art Blakey -- Mellow Blues

Session probably taped from a broadcast of a performance at Rutgers University.

Woody blows harder and higher than his usual. In "Tunisia" he plays a few tributes to Gillespie and Lee Morgan -- it is the same arrangement the Messengers with Lee Morgan used to play. There are a few rough spots, such as when Garnett comes in with the "Tunisia" background figure at the wrong moment. "Original Theme" is credited to WS; I haven't matched it to another recording of the same piece.

The first session I've found of the Jazz Messengers with Woody. Woody played as a (sometimes?) member of the group until 1972, also recording with them again in 1973 and touring Europe in 1976.

May 16, 1969
Andrew Hill - p; WS - tp; Carlos Garnett - ts; Richard Davis - b; Freddie Waits - dr; Lawrence Marshall, La Reine La Mar, Gail E. Nelson, Joan Johnson, Benjamin Franklin Carter, Antenett Goodman Ray, Ron Steward - voc.; Lawrence Marshall - cond.
1. Hey Hey
2. Lift Every Voice
3. Two Lullabies
4. Love Chant
5. Ghetto Lights
Andrew Hill -- Lift Every Voice
New York; June 30, 1969
Chick Corea - p; Hubert Laws - fl, pclo; Jack DeJohnette - dr; Dave Holland - b; WS - tp; Horace Arnold - dr; Bennie Maupin - ts.
1. Converge (Corea) 8:01
2. Vamp (Corea) 9:57
3. Is (Corea) 29:00
Chick Corea -- Early Days: tracks 1-2
Chick Corea -- Is: track 3
Chick Corea -- Jazzman: tracks 1-2
various -- Jazz Giants: tracks 1-2
Chick Corea -- Sundance: track 1
Chick Corea -- Before Forever: track 1
Chick Corea and Mike Longo -- Piano Giants: track 1
Chick Corea featuring Lionel Hampton: track 1
Chick Corea -- Blue Note Reissue Series: track 3
Progressive group improv. "Converge" shows WS and Bennie playing well off each other's ideas. WS makes a rare appearance in harmon mute on "Vamp". Track "Is" is the least successful.

The recording date for "Is" is taken from the Blue Note Reissue Series album. Only the year of the recording is listed for the other tracks, but are almost certainly from the same session(s) that produced "Is". Many albums credit WS on tracks on which he does not actually appear. Maupin is not credited on the Solid State "Is" release, an oversight corrected on the "Reissue Series".

RCA Studios, NYC; August 26, 1969
Archie Shepp - ts, ss; WS - tp; Matthew Gee - tb; C. Sharpe - as; Cecil Payne - bs; Cedar Walton - p; Wilbur Ware - b; Joe Chambers - dr; Chinalin Sharpe - voc (1).
1. Un Croque Monsieur (Poem: For Losers) (Shepp) 21:45
2. Slow Drag (Shepp) 10:15
Archie Shepp -- For Losers: track 1
Archie Shepp -- Kwanza: track 2
On "Slow Drag", the rhythm section can't stay together -- sounds like Walton's rushing. Shepp and WS play well, under the circumstances.
Olmsted Sound Studios, NYC; September 25, 1969
Stanley Cowell - p; WS - tp, mar; Tyrone Washington - ts, fl, cl, mar; Bobby Hutcherson - vbs; Reggie Workman - b, el b; Joe Chambers - dr.
1. Brilliant Circles (Cowell) 15:44
2. Earthly Heavens (Washington) 6:48
3. Boo-Ann's Grand (WS) 9:14
4. Bobby's Tune (Hutcherson) 10:59
Stanley Cowell -- Brilliant Circles
Originally released in England on Black Lion, according to the liner notes.

Adventurous hard bop. Cowell, in particular, shines.

Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society, Baltimore, MD; April 26, 1970
Roy Brooks - dr; WS - tp; George Coleman - ts; Hugh Lawson - p; Cecil McBee - b
1. The Free Slave (Brooks)
2. Understanding (Brooks)
3. Will Pan's Walk (McBee)
4. Fire for Max (Brooks)
Roy Brooks -- The Free Slave
A&R Studios, NYC; July 1, 1970
Pharoah Sanders - ss, perc; WS - tp, perc; Gary Bartz - as, perc; Lonnie Liston Smith - p, perc; Cecil McBee - b; Clifford Jarvis - dr; Nathaniel Bettis - perc; Anthony Wiles - cong, perc.
1. Summun, Bukmun, Umyun (Sanders) 21:17
2. Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord (adapted by Smith) 18:25
Pharoah Sanders -- Summun, Bukmun, Umyun
Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; July 31, 1970
Hank Mobley - ts; WS - tp; Eddie Diehl - g; Cedar Walton - p; Mickey Bass - b; Leroy Williams - dr.
1. Suite 10:02
a) Thinking of Home
b) The Flight
c) Home At Last
2. Justine 13:04
3. You Gotta Hit It 5:32
4. Gayle's Groove 5:30
5. Talk About Gittin' It 8:40
Hank Mobley -- Thinking of Home
"Woody's large sound is in full form. A bop-inspired recording with hints of soul-jazz in the Horace Silver "Song for My Father" tradition. Probably a *** ranking; not groundbreaking, but cleanly produced and skillfully performed." -- Mark Goldstein
live at The Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, CA; September 24-26, 1970
WS - tp, flg; Joe Henderson - ts; George Cables - el p; Ron McClure - b; Lenny White - dr; Tony Waters - cong.
1. Caribbean Fire Dance (Henderson) 5:37
2. Recorda-Me (Henderson) 8:18
3. A Shade of Jade (Henderson) 10:28
4. Isotope (Henderson) 4:28
5. Mode for Joe (Walton) 8:34
6. If You're Not Part of the Solution, You're Part of the Problem (not credited) 11:29
7. Blue Bossa (Dorham) 9:45
8. Closing Theme [Isotope] (Henderson) :47
9. Invitation (Kaper) 7:36
10. Gazelle (Henderson) 7:34
Joe Henderson -- If You're Not Part of the Solution, You're Part of the Problem (a.k.a. Live at the Lighthouse): tracks 1,5-8
Joe Henderson -- In Pursuit of Blackness: tracks 9-10
Joe Henderson -- Tetragon/In Pursuit of Blackness: track 10
Joe Henderson -- The Milestone Years
Joe invited Woody to be a part of his band around this time, but the association was brief. There's some good material here that hints at how great this band could have been if they'd stayed together longer.
?; September, 1970?
Joe Henderson - ts; WS - tp; George Cables - el p; Ron McClure - b, el b; Lenny White - dr.
1. Invitation (Kaper/Webster)
2. Punjab (Henderson) see below
3. Power to the People (Henderson) see below
Joe Henderson and Woody Shaw -- Jazz Patterns
The two Joe Henderson originals are labelled with unusual titles of unknown origin: track "Punjab" is labelled "Lofty", and track "Power to the People" is labelled "What's Mine Is Yours".
A&R Studios, NYC; December 8-9, 1970
WS - tp; Gary Bartz - as, ss; Bennie Maupin - ts, b clar, fl; George Cables - p, el p; Ron Carter - b; Clint Houston - b; Lenny White - dr.
1. Blackstone Legacy (WS) 16:08
2. Think On Me (Cables) 10:49
3. Lost and Found (WS) 11:57
4. New World (Cables) 18:30
5. Boo-Ann's Grand (WS) 14:35
6. A Deed For Dolphy (WS) 8:59
Woody Shaw -- Blackstone Legacy
Woody's debut as a leader. Although the all-star band is somewhat "loose", the music crackles with energy and imagination. Some strong parallels to Miles' Bitches Brew in concept, instrumentation, and personnel.
Atlantic Recording Studios, NYC; 1970-1971?
Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock - el p; George Davis, fl; WS - tp; Earl Turbinton - ss; Miroslav Vitous, Walter Booker - b; Joe Chambers, Billy Hart, David Lee - perc.
1. Doctor Honoris Causa (Zawinul) 14:47
2. In A Silent Way (Zawinul) 4:47
3. Double Image (Zawinul) 10:37
Joe Zawinul -- Zawinul
Joe Zawinul -- Concerto Retitled: track 2.
various artists -- Atlantic Jazz: Introspection: track 2.
The music is similar to Zawinul/Shorter's early Weather Report albums, with somewhat less of an accent on group improv. WS has one solo, playing rather sparse lines by his standards; Zawinul plays well off his ideas behind him.
?; 1970-1971?
Walter Bishop Jr. - p; Harold Vick - ts; WS - tp; Reggie Johnson - b; Alan Shwaetz Benger - dr.
1. Our November (Bishop) 5:11
2. Three Loves (Bishop) 4:41
3. Freedon Suite (Bishop) 9:31
Walter Bishop, Jr. -- Coral Keys
Sound Idea Studio, NYC; February 10, 1971
WS - tp; Joe Chambers - dr; Garnett Brown - tb; Harold Vick - fl, ts; George Cables - el p; Cecil McBee - bass.
1. Medina (Chambers) 8:27
2. Early Minor
Joe Chambers -- The Almoravid
Woody Shaw -- Cassandranite: track 1 (see below)
Woody Shaw -- Last of the Line: track 1
Some pressings of Cassandranite on the Muse label may include track 1; other pressings actually contain the track Sanyas from Woody's album The Moontrane in its place (but mislabelled Medina).
?; 1971-1972?
Buddy Terry - ts, ss, fl; WS - tp; Eddie Henderson - tp, flg; Kenny Barron - p; Joanne Brackeen - p, el p; Stanley Clarke - b; Mchezaji - b; Billy Hart - dr; Lenny White - dr; Airto Moreira - perc; Mtume - perc.
1. Quiet Afternoon (Clarke) 10:09
2. Paranoia (Terry) 10:45
3. Baba Hengates (Mtume) 17:07
Buddy Terry -- Pure Dynamite
Lugano, Switzerland; April 5-6, 1972
George Gruntz - p; Daniel Humair - dr; Niels Henning Orsted-Pedersen - b; Runo Ericson, Ake Persson, Jiggs Whigham, Eric Kleinschuster - tb; Virgil Jones, Benny Bailey, Dusko Goykovich, WS, Franco Ambrosetti - tp; Flavio Ambrosetti - ss, as; Dexter Gordon - ts; Herb Geller - ss, as; Sahib Shihab - bs, voc; Phil Woods - as; Eddie Daniels - ts.
1. Our Suite Dig (Ambrosetti) 11:00
2. Pistrophallobus (Ambrosetti) 10:15
3. Witch Stritch (Humair) 12:27
4. English Waltz (Ambrosetti) 6:50
5. The Tango (Gruntz) 7:37
6. Gravenstein (Humair) 5:55
7. Saint Charity (Gruntz) 9:07
8. The Age Of Prominence (Ambrosetti) 19:43
The Band Directed by George Gruntz -- The Alpine Power Plant
WS solos on English Waltz and The Age Of Prominence (first solo both titles).
Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; July 28, 1972
Art Blakey - dr; WS - tp; Ramon Morris - ts; George Cables - p, el p; Stan Clarke - b; Ray Mantilla - cong; Manny Boyd - fl
1. C.C. (Clarke) 12:20
2. Child's Dance (Christian's Song) (Morris) 7:40
3. I Can't Get Started (Gershwin/Duke) 7:30
Art Blakey -- Child's Dance (LP)
Art Blakey -- And The Jazz Messengers, vol. 1 - Child's Dance (CD)
Art Blakey had his modal electric period, in keeping with the tenor of the times. The other Blakey sessions from 1972-1973 listed here are in a similar vein.

WS is blowing strong and clear, and his upper range stays intact. "I Can't Get Started", a WS vehicle, is outstanding. This band often doesn't quite "gel", particularly in the rhythm section, where Blakey often seems to be fighting with the rest of the section over tempos (particularly on other sessions not listed here).

In 1972, Woody moved to Los Angeles, and a few months later to San Francisco.
Contemporary Studios, Los Angeles; September 15 and 18, 1972
WS - tp; Emanuel Boyd - fl, ts; Ramon Morris - ts; Woodrow Theus II - dr; George Cables - p, el p; Henry Franklin - b; Bennie Maupin - ts.
1. Song of Songs (WS) 11:37
2. The Goat and the Archer (WS) 7:33
3. Love: For the One You Can't Have (WS) 10:03
4. The Awakening (WS) 8:44
Woody Shaw -- Song of Songs

An adventurous date featuring a few of Woody's co-sidemen in the Art Blakey group of that time. A little distractingly heavy on the electric piano effects.

Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; March 26-29, 1973
Art Blakey - dr; Jon Hendricks - voc (6,10); WS - tp; Carter Jefferson - ts, ss; Cedar Walton - el p, p; Steve Turre - tb (11,12); Michael Howell - gtr (5,7,8,9); Mickey Bass - b; Tony Waters - cong.
1. Anthenagain (Walton) 11:56 Mar 26-27
2. I'm Not So Sure (Walton) 7:07 Mar 26-27
3. Gertrude's Bounce (Powell) 4:43 Mar 26
4. Siempre Mi Amor (Bass) 4:52 Mar 26
5. Mission Eternal (Walton) 12:10 Mar 27
6. Moanin' (Timmons/Hendricks) 5:31 Mar 27
7. A Chant for Bu (Bass) 8:36 Mar 28
8. One for Trane (Bass) 6:08 Mar 28
9. Along Came Betty (Golson/Hendricks) 6:06 Mar 28
10. Along Came Betty (Golson/Hendricks) 4:52 Mar 28
11. Love: For the One You Can't Have (WS) 6:23 Mar 29
12. Fantasy in D (Walton) 8:38 Mar 29
Art Blakey -- Anthenagain: tracks 1,2,9,11-12
Art Blakey -- Buhaina: tracks 3,5-8,10
Art Blakey -- And The Jazz Messengers, vol. 1 - Child's Dance: tracks 1-2
Art Blakey -- And The Jazz Messengers, vol. 2 - Mission Eternal: tracks 3-12
Art Blakey -- The History of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: track 3
various artists -- Jazz Dance Classics Vol. 3: track 6
Recorded while Blakey was in San Francisco for an extended engagement at the Keystone Korner club; WS was invited to re-join the band for the club dates and these recording sessions.

Very good in places, surprisingly weak in others. WS blows hard and sometimes loses his upper range. "Moanin'" and "Chant" are highlights, while nobody seems to be "on" during "Gertrude's Bounce". Most players are alternately a little shaky or very hot. Guitarist Michael Howell sounds rather uncomfortable.

Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival; July 5, 1973
Bobby Hutcherson - vbs; Cecil Bernard - p; WS - tp; Ray Drummond - b; Larry Hancock - d.
1. Anton's Bail (Hutcherson) 12:34
2. The Moontrane (WS) 10:42
3. Farallone (Hutcherson) 13:11
4. Song of Songs (WS) 13:50
Bobby Hutcherson -- Live At Montreux (CD)
Bobby Hutcherson - Live At Montreux: tracks 1,2,4 (LP)
Probably more worthwhile from the standpoint of a Hutcherson fan, but WS has some very good moments. Unfortunately, Bernard drops the form of "Moontrane" during Woody's solo, and keeps playing the A section with the first ending -- and throws Woody off. The band in general sounds a little underrehearsed on the first two tracks. The previously unreleased track "Farallone" is very good.
Wally Heider Recording Studio, LA; April 17-18, 1974
Bobby Hutcherson - vbs; Bill Henderson - p, el p; Kenneth Nash - perc; WS - tp; Harold Land - ts, al fl; Emanuel Boyd - ts, al fl; Ray Drummond - b; Larry Hancock - dr.
1. Rosewood (WS) 7:35
2. Even Later 9:55
3. Wrong Or Right 7:29
4. Zuri Dance 8:20
5. Cirrus 7:16
Bobby Hutcherson -- Cirrus
In late 1974, Woody returned from San Francisco to New York City, lured by a recording contract with Muse. After spending some of the early months of 1975 back in San Francisco, he settled in New York in about July of 1975.
NYC?; 1974?
Joe Newman, Snooky Young, Lloyd Michaels, Ray Copeland, WS - tp; Benny Powell, George Jeffers, David Bargeron, John Gordon, Jack Jeffers, J. Billy Ver Planck - tb; Kenny Burrell, Dave Spinosa, Arthur Bitker, Billy Butler - g; Grady Tate, Herbie Lovelle - dr; Frank Owens, Frank Anderson - p, org, "Rocksichord"; Chuck Rainey - b; Hubert Laws, Billy Mitchell, Joseph Temperley, Chris Woods - sax.
1. Evil Ways
2. Midnight Hour
3. Dock of the Bay
4. I Can't Make It
5. Big Foot Country
6. Spinning Wheel
7. Everyday People
8. Come Together
9. Get Back
10. Honky Tonk Women
11. Sugar Sugar
12. Next Year's Blues
13. Respect
14. Thank You
15. Funky Broadway
16. No Money Blues
17. Spoonful
18. Susie Q
19. Baby It's You
20. One
21. Journey To The Center Of The Mind
22. Down On Me
various artists -- Screamin' Mothers
Arranged and conducted by Ernie Wilkins.

"As you can see from the track listing, it's a very commercial outing. The producer's bio takes up half of the liner notes. But the personnel involved make it worth the $4 I paid for it." -- Thomas Ford Brown

?; September, 1974
Azar Lawrence - ss, ts; Jean Carn - voc; WS - tp; Woody Murray - vbs; Clint Houston - b; Billy Hart - dr; Guilherme Franco - perc; Kenneth Nash - perc; Ray Straughter - wd fl.
1. Bridge Into The New Age (Lawrence) 6:45
2. The Beautiful and Omnipresent Love (Lawrence) 10:07
Azar Lawrence -- Bridge Into New Age
"... distinctive melodies, rhythmic complexities, and energetic, emotion blowing [sic] offering joyful and affirmative sensuality in sound." -- from the Down Beat review by Mandel.
Blue Rock Studios, NYC; December 11 and 18, 1974
WS - tp; Steve Turre - tb; Azar Lawrence - ts, ss; Onaje Allan Gumbs - p, el p; Cecil McBee - b (2,3,4,6,7); Buster Williams - b (1,5); Victor Lewis - d; Guilherme Franco - perc (2,4,5,7); Tony Waters - perc (2,4,5,7).
1. The Moontrane (WS) 6:54
2. Sanyas (Turre) 13:05
3. Tapscott's Blues (Lawrence) 6:41
4. Katrina Ballerina (WS) 7:36 [transcribed]
5. Are They Only Dreams (Gumbs) 9:12
6. Tapscott's Blues (Lawrence) 6:50
7. Katrina Ballerina (WS) 8:01
Woody Shaw -- The Moontrane (CD)
Woody Shaw -- The Moontrane: tracks 1-5 (LP)
Woody Shaw -- Cassandranite: tracks 2,4 (see below)
Woody Shaw -- Dark Journey: tracks 1,2,4
"This is a collection of outstanding third- and fourth-generation postbop journeymen curving toward individuality" -- from the Coda review by Barry Temperman.

Some pressings of Cassandranite on the Muse label include track 2 above as track 6, mislabelled as Medina from Joe Chambers' The Almoravid session; track 4 is also included as unlabelled track 7.

New York; August 5, 7, 11, 14, 1975
WS - tp; Buster Williams - b, voc; Earl Turbinton - ss, bcl; Sonny Fortune - ss, fl, afl; Onaje Allan Gumbs - kybd; Billy Hart - dr; Guilherme Franco - perc; Suzanne Marcus - voc.
1. Pinnacle
2. Batuki (Gumbs)
Buster Williams -- Pinnacle
Blue Rock Studio, NYC; November, 1975
WS - tp; Steve Turre - tb, b tb; Rene McLean - ss, as; Billy Harper - ts; Joe Bonner - p; Cecil McBee - b; Victor Lewis - dr; Guilherme Franco - perc; Tony Waters - cong.
1. Love Dance (Bonner) 12:37
2. Obsequious (Young) 9:28
3. Sunbath (Stern) 6:33
4. Zoltan (WS) 6:48
5. Soulfully I Love You (Black Spiritual of Love) (Harper) 8:13
Woody Shaw -- Love Dance
Woody Shaw -- Last of the Line
A spirited group that plays well together, and on some good material. Mostly modal tunes, and one of his most "electric"-sounding (or "seventies"-sounding) dates.
In late 1975, Woody began an association with the Louis Hayes/Junior Cook Quintet. This band became the Louis Hayes/Woody Shaw Quintet when Junior Cook left, replaced by Rene McLean. The band also featured Stafford James and Ronnie Mathews. Woody left this band about mid-1977.
Generation Sound Studio, NYC; May 5, 1976
Louis Hayes - dr; Junior Cook - ts; WS - tp; Ronnie Mathews - p; Stafford James - b; Guilherme Franco - perc.
1. Ichi-Ban (Number One) (Mathews) 5:35
2. Brothers and Sisters (Allen) 7:00
3. The Moontrane (WS) 6:50
4. Book's Bossa (Booker) 11:45
Louis Hayes/Junior Cook -- Ichi-Ban
A bit listless; the band doesn't seem to have "gelled" by this time. "The Moontrane" ensembles, in particular, aren't up to par.
Blue Rock Studio, NYC; June 29, 1976
WS - tp; Frank Strozier - as; Ronnie Mathews - p; Stafford James - b; Eddie Moore - dr.
1. Jean Marie (Mathews) 7:49
2. Sashianova 9:58
3. In Case You Haven't Heard (WS) 6:25 [transcribed]
4. Little Red's Fantasy (WS) 7:05 [transcribed]
5. Tomorrow's Destiny (WS) 7:45 [transcribed]
Woody Shaw -- Little Red's Fantasy
A sizzler. Strozier's style has traces of a somewhat more conventional post-bop style than the rest of the ensemble, but this author likes his approach to the music. A few hiccups, such as the drum solo that throws everyone off during "Tomorrow's". Some of the best performances of some of Woody's best small group compositions.
Live at the Berlin Jazz Festival; November 6, 1976
WS - tp, perc; Rene McLean - as, fl, perc; Frank Foster - ts, ss, perc; Slide Hampton - tb, perc; Ronnie Mathews - p; Stafford James - b; Louis Hayes - dr.
1. Hello To The Wind (Chambers/McDaniels) 17:27
2. Obsequious (Young) 9:10
3. Jean Marie (Mathews) 9:20
4. In the Land of the Blacks (Bilad As Sudan) (McLean) 12:24
Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble -- Live at the Berliner Jazztage
Woody Shaw -- Two More Pieces of the Puzzle

A very good live set. The "trading fours" between Slide and WS, and between McLean and Foster, on "Obsequious" is a highlight. WS sometimes pays tributes to his fellow soloists when playing live; here, at the beginning of "Jean Marie", he plays a trademarked Slide Hampton (or is it J.J.?) lick.

Live at The Village Vanguard, NYC; December 11-12, 1976
Dexter Gordon - ts; WS - tp, flg; Stafford James - b; Ronnie Mathews - p; Louis Hayes - dr.
1. Gingerbread Boy (Heath) 13:50
2. Little Red's Fantasy (WS) 12:48
3. Fenja (Gordon) 12:48
4. In Case You Haven't Heard (WS) 11:13
5. It's You Or No One (Cahn/Styne) 14:03
6. Let's Get Down (Mathews) 13:11
7. 'Round Midnight (Monk/Williams) 13:13
8. Backstairs (Gordon) 12:41
9. Fried Bananas (Gordon) 14:34
Dexter Gordon -- Homecoming (CD)
Dexter Gordon -- Homecoming: tracks 1-8 (LP)
Dexter Gordon -- Best Of: track 7
Dex pretty much steals the show. Woody plays well -- very well at times. The rhythm section is a little shaky in places. Some of the solos are extended for a couple of choruses too many.

Woody made quite an impression with this record; it is said to have led to his signing by Columbia Records.

?; 1976?
Ben Sidran; WS; Phil Upchurch; Richard Tee; David Fathead Newman; Sonny Seals; Randy and Michael Brecker.
1. New York State of Mind
Ben Sidran -- Free in America
live at Salle d'Epalinges, Lausanne, Sweden; February 4, 1977
WS - tp, flg; Rene McLean - ts, ss, fl; Ronnie Mathews - p; Stafford James - b; Louis Hayes - dr.
1. In Case You Haven't Heard (WS) 15:25
2. Moontrane (WS) 15:39
3. Contemplation (Shorter) 8:08
4. Jean-Marie (Mathews) 13:35
5. Bilad As Sudan (McLean) 19:16
Louis Hayes-Woody Shaw Quintet -- Swiss Radio Days Vol. 5: Lausanne 1977
A good live set with the group Woody co-led with Louis Hayes.
Blue Rock Studio, NYC; April 6 and 13, 1977
WS - tp, cor, flg; Anthony Braxton - clar, as, ss; Arthur Blythe - as; Muhal Richard Abrams - p; Cecil McBee - b; Joe Chambers - dr; Victor Lewis - dr.
1. Iron Man (Dolphy) 6:30
2. Jitterbug Waltz (Waller) 8:26
3. Symmetry (Hill) 8:24
4. Diversion One (WS/Abrams/McBee) 2:55
5. Song Of Songs (WS) 13:35
6. Diversion Two (WS/Abrams/McBee) 2:52
Woody Shaw with Anthony Braxton -- The Iron Men
Woody Shaw -- Two More Pieces of the Puzzle
Woody Shaw -- Dark Journey: track 2
Features Woody's playing in a "freer" context, including two completely improvised trio pieces. Braxton, Blythe, and Abrams seem to bring out hidden reserves of creativity in Woody; it's a shame he didn't record more often in this company. All the musicians are brilliant.
Generation Sound Studios, NYC; April 7, 1977
WS - cor; Sonny Fortune - as, ss, fl, al fl, pclo; Kenny Barron - el p; Gary King - el b; Jack DeJohnette - dr; Sammy Figueroa - perc; Rafael Cruz - perc.
1. Afro-Americans (Fortune) 7:26
2. There's Nothing Smart about Being Stupid (Fortune) 6:47
Sonny Fortune -- Serengeti Minstrel
CI Recording Studios, NYC; May 20-21, 1977
Louis Hayes - dr; WS - tp; Rene McLean - ss, as, ts; Ronnie Mathews - p; Stafford James - b; Slide Hampton - tb.
1. St. Peter's Walk (Allen) 5:20
2. Nisha (Hayes) 9:22
3. Loose Suite (Mathews) 4:55
4. My Gift To You (James) 7:00
5. Jack's Tune (McLean) 5:14
6. Marilyn's House (Allen) 5:15
Louis Hayes -- The Real Thing
A less-than-perfect performance, but one of the better outings with the Hayes group.
In mid-1977, Woody switched from the Muse recording label to Columbia. Around this time, Woody quit the group he co-led with Louis Hayes, eager to form his own group that would reflect his style. Woody formed his first working quintet featuring Carter Jefferson, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Clint Houston, and Victor Lewis.
Sound Ideas, NYC; June 21-22, 1977
Dexter Gordon - ts, ss; WS - tp, flg; Benny Bailey - tp, flg; Slide Hampton - tb; Wayne Andre - tb; Frank Wess - fl, as, pclo; Howard Johnson - tba, b; Bobby Hutcherson - vbs; George Cables - p; Rufus Reid - b; Victor Lewis - dr.
1. Laura (Raskin) 7:38
2. The Moontrane (WS) 6:35
3. Red Top (Hampton/Kynard) 9:55
4. Fried Bananas (Gordon) 7:52
5. You're Blase (Hamilton/Siever) 9:50
6. How Insensitive (Jobim/Gimbel/deMoraes) 4:55
Dexter Gordon -- Sophisticated Giant
Dexter Gordon -- Best Of: track 1
Slide Hampton's arrangements are great, and the medium-size all-star band is surprisingly tight. But the improvisation is only so-so.
?; June 27-29, 1977
Franco Ambrosetti - tp, flg; Jon Faddis, Palle Mikkelborg, WS, Kenny Wheeler - tp, flg; Mike Zwerin - b tp; Isla Eckinger - b; Daniel Humair - dr; George Gruntz - p, synth, el p.
1. For Flying Out Proud! (Ambrosetti) 9:44
2. Spring Song (Gruntz) 6:04
3. Anticipation (Ambrosetti) 3:42
4. Hot Diggety Damn! (Ambrosetti) 4:53
5. Baal:Von Sonne Krank (Gruntz) 3:07
6. Outfox No Kinxiwinx! (Ambrosetti) 3:56
7. Faddis-Burger's Plunger-Fahrt (Gruntz) 6:07
8. A Wheeler's Wings (Gruntz) 3:26
George Gruntz Trumpet Machine -- For Flying Out Proud
Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival; July 24, 1977
Billy Cobham - dr; George Duke - kyb; Maynard Ferguson - tp; Eric Gale - gtr; Stan Getz - ts; Benny Golson - ts; Dexter Gordon - ts; Bobbi Humphrey - fl; Bob James - kyb; Alphonso Johnson - el b; Steve Khan - gtr; Hubert Laws - fl, pclo; Ralph MacDonald - perc; Janne Schaffer - gtr; WS - tp; Thijs van Leer - fl; Slide Hampton - tb; Greg Bowen - tp; Billy Brooks - dr; Alan Downey - tp; Peter Erskine - dr; Clifford Holder - tp; Gordon Johnson - el b; Stan Mark - tp; Bob Millitello - bs; Joe Mosello - tp; Geoffrey P. Perkins - tb.
1. Montreux Summit (James) 10:46
2. Blues March (Golson) 25:59
3. Fried Bananas (Gordon) 13:13
4. Andromeda (Chattaway) 21:37
5. The Moontrane (WS) 5:18
6. Red Top (Hampton/Kynard) 4:44
various artists -- Montreux Summit volume 1: tracks 1-4
various artists -- Montreux Summit volume 2: tracks 5-6
various artists -- Montreux Summit vol. 2 Special Radio Edition: tracks 5-6
various artists -- Montreux Summit First Divide: tracks 3, 5-6
An example of the problems with all-star conglomerations and the showboating that jazz festivals encourage. The top-flight soloists, such as Gordon, Getz, Hampton, and WS, still put in some fine work, when the arrangements allow and when bandstand confusion doesn't step on their efforts. George Duke is surprisingly bad on "Moontrane"; Ferguson predictably garish throughout; many of the rest demonstrate an inability to play in straight-ahead settings, or even to blow a decent blues chorus. [I could not review all tracks of this album due to a warped vinyl copy.]
NYC; November, 1977
Jack Walrath - tp; WS - tp; Ricky Ford - ts; Paul Jeffrey - ts; Gerry Mulligan - bs; Bob Neloms - p; Lionel Hampton - vbs; Charles Mingus - b; Dannie Richmond - dr.
1. Peggy's Blue Skylight (Mingus) 5:16
2. Fables of Faubus (Mingus) 6:12
3. Caroline Keikki Mingus (Mingus) 6:18
4. Slop (Mingus) 5:05
5. So Long Eric (Mingus) 4:32
6. Farewell Farwell (Mingus) 5:59
7. Just For Laughs PT. 1 (Mingus) 4:26
8. Duke Ellington's Sound of Love (Mingus) 5:54
9. Just For Laughs PT. 2 (Mingus) 2:35
Lionel Hampton -- The Music of Charles Mingus
Lionel Hampton and Friends -- Rare Recordings vol. 1: tracks 4,5
Lionel Hampton -- Vintage Hampton: tracks 1,2
Charles Mingus -- The Sound Of Jazz
Charles Mingus -- His Final Work
Charles Mingus -- Charlie Mingus
various artists -- The Sound of Jazz: unknown track numbers
Good performances by all, but this cannot really be considered a Mingus opus (the original release was under Lionel Hampton's name). This effort lacks the vitality the Mingus bands usually had.
CBS 30th Street Studio, NYC; December 15-19, 1977
WS - tp; Carter Jefferson - ts, ss; Joe Henderson - ts (1-2,4-6); Frank Wess - fl, pclo (1-3); Art Webb - fl (1-4); James Vass - ss, as (1-4); Steve Turre - tb, b tb (1-4); Janice Robinson - tb (1-3); Onaje Allan Gumbs - p, el p; Clint Houston - b; Victor Lewis - dr; Sammy Figueroa - cong (1-2); Armen Halburian - perc (1-2,4); Lois Colin - harp (1).
1. The Legend of Cheops (Lewis) 6:04
2. Rosewood (WS) 7:11 [transcribed]
3. Every Time I See You (Gumbs) 7:14
4. Sunshowers (Houston) 7:48
5. Rahsaan's Run (WS) 5:10 [transcribed]
6. Theme For Maxine (WS) 7:14 [transcribed]
Woody Shaw -- Rosewood
The Complete CBS Studio Recordings of Woody Shaw
Woody Shaw -- The Best Of Woody Shaw: tracks 5, 6
Rosewood was voted Best Jazz Album of 1978 in the Down Beat Reader's Poll (which also awarded Woody Best Jazz Trumpet of the Year and #4 Jazz Musician of the Year). Much of this album is devoted to Woody's Concert Ensemble, for which he has done some fine writing, but this writer prefers the excellent small combo pieces.
Live at The Village Vanguard, NYC; August 5-6, 1978
WS - cor, flg; Carter Jefferson - ts, ss; Onaje Allan Gumbs - p; Clint Houston - b; Victor Lewis - dr.
1. Stepping Stone 8:35 [transcribed]
2. In A Capricornian Way (WS) 11:03 [transcribed]
3. It All Comes Back To You (Gumbs) 10:16
4. Seventh Avenue 8:24
5. Theme For Maxine (WS) :58
6. Escape Velocity 11:07
Woody Shaw -- Stepping Stones (Live at the Village Vanguard): tracks 1-5
Woody Shaw -- Woody III: track 6
Woody Shaw -- The Best Of Woody Shaw: tracks 1, 3
various artists -- Individuals: track 3
Very good, very hot performances by a band that plays well together.
MPS studios, Villingen, W. Germany; September 22-23, 1978
Earl Gardner, Americo Bellotto (2-3), Palle Mikkelborg, Benny Bailey (1), Franco Ambrosetti, WS - tp, flg; Jimmy Knepper, Eje Thelin, Mike Zwerin, Rune Eriksson - tb; Howard Johnson - tuba, bs, b clar; Jerry Dodgion - as, ss, alto fl; Lew Tabackin - ts, fl; Alan Skidmore - ts, ss, fl; Bennie Wallace - ts, ss; Lois Colin - harp; John Scofield - g; George Gruntz - kybd; Mike Richmond - b; Elvin Jones - dr.
1. Morning Song of a Spring Flower (Gruntz) 9:00
2. Napoleon Blown Apart (Ambrosetti) 9:30
3. Epitaph For A Friend (On MPS 68290)
The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band -- GG-CJB (MPS 0068.215, 0068.290)
The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band - GG-CJB (MPS 15.531): tracks 1,2
No solos by Shaw.
Zurich Schauspielhaus, Switzerland; October 1, 1978
Same personnel as for September 22-23 session, except add: Alan Botchinsky - tp,flg.
1. Destiny (Perla) 11:25
2. Cinderella Friday Night (van'tHof/Gruntz) 12:14
The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band -- GG-CJB
No solos by Shaw.
C & I Recording Studios, NYC; January 18-19, 1979
WS - cor, flg; Carter Jefferson - ts (1-3); James Spaulding - as, fl; Rene McLean - as, ss, fl; Curtis Fuller - tb (1-3); Steve Turre - tb, b tb (1-3); Charles Sullivan - tp (1-2); Onaje Allan Gumbs - p; Buster Williams - b; Victor Lewis - dr; Azzedin Weston - cong, perc (1,3); Nobu Urushiyama - perc (1,3).
1. Woody I: On The New Ark (WS) 7:17 [transcribed]
2. Woody II: Other Paths (WS) 6:50 [transcribed]
3. Woody III: New Offerings (WS) 8:28 [transcribed]
4. To Kill A Brick (WS) 7:40 [transcribed]
Woody Shaw -- Woody III
The Complete CBS Studio Recordings of Woody Shaw
Woody Shaw -- The Best Of Woody Shaw: track 4
Sizzling performances of some of Woody's most impressive compositions.
CBS 52nd Street Studio B, NYC; January 24, 1979
WS - flg; George Cables - p; Buster Williams - b; Victor Lewis - dr.
1. Organ Grinder (WS) 5:30 [transcribed]
Woody Shaw -- Woody III
The Complete CBS Studio Recordings of Woody Shaw
various artists -- Individuals
CBS Recording Studios, NYC; January 26, 1979
Dexter Gordon - ts; George Cables - p; Rufus Reid - b; Eddie Gladden - d; Eddie Jefferson - voc; WS - tp; Curtis Fuller - tb.
1. Diggin' In (Gordon/Jefferson) 4:52
2. It's Only A Paper Moon (Rose/Harburg/Arlen) 5:08
Dexter Gordon -- Great Encounters
Dexter Gordon -- Sophisticated Giant
Woody is allowed limited solo space: one chorus on both tunes, but quite good choruses (it seems he often does well when on a limited time budget). Cables makes a good teammate for Gordon.
Live at the Karl Marx Theatre, Havana, Cuba; March 3, 1979
Members of the CBS Jazz All Stars: Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Jimmy Heath - ts; Arthur Blythe - as; WS - tp; Hubert Laws - fl; Bobby Hutcherson - vbs; Cedar Walton - p; Percy Heath - b; Tony Williams - dr; Willie Bobo - perc.
1. Project 'S' (Heath) 8:36
2. Sounds for Sore Ears (Heath) 9:50
various artists -- Havana Jam: track 1
various artists -- Havana Jam 2: track 2
Live at The Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, CA; September 15, 1979
The Young Thundering Herd big band with: WS - tp; Dizzy Gillespie - tp; Slide Hampton - tb.
1. Woody 'N You (Gillespie) 8:11
2. Manteca (Gillespie/Fuller/Pozo) 8:56
Woody Herman -- Woody and Friends
Woody Herman -- Concord Years: track 1
Woody's two "trumpet battles" with Dizzy stray somewhat into the usual territory: loud, high, and flashy. Dizzy's chops aren't up to this; Woody lacks inspiration.
CBS 52nd Street Studio B, NYC; December 17-20, 1979; December 27, 1979; January 4, 1980
WS - tp; Larry Willis - p; Stafford James - b; Victor Lewis - d; Carter Jefferson - ts, ss (1-6); Curtis Fuller - tb (1-3,5-6); Gary Bartz - as (1-3,5,7); James Spaulding - fl (1-2,5); Steve Turre - tb, b tb (1-2,7); Nana Vasconcelos - perc, cong (1-2,5); Judi Singh - voc (1-2); Gayle Dixon - vln (1,8); Winterton Garvey - vln (1,8); Maxine Roach - vla (1,8); Veronica Salas - vla (1,8); Akua Dixon - cell (1,8); Richard Locker - cell (1,8).
1. Time Is Right (Singh) 4:25
2. Why (Lewis) 4:47
3. Joshua C. (WS) 7:10
4. Teotihuacan (James) 7:10
5. Isabel the Liberator (Willis) 8:25
6. Ginseng People (WS) 5:28
7. OPEC (WS) 5:22
8. We'll Be Together Again (Fischer/Laine) 5:43
Woody Shaw -- For Sure!: tracks 1-3, 5-8
The Complete CBS Studio Recordings of Woody Shaw
Woody Shaw -- The Best Of Woody Shaw: tracks 7, 8
Woody Shaw -- Rosewood (CD): tracks 2, 3, 5
Some of the music is tame jazz/pop "with strings" and corny vocals. "Time Is Right" and "Why" are unfortunate choices for release; the substitution of "Teotihuacan", unreleased until the Mosaic box, would have made For Sure! a much better album. There is some very good music here, nonetheless. Both "OPEC" and "Joshua C." are standouts.
Session location and date not listed
Dexter Gordon - ts; WS - tp; Cedar Walton - p; Percy Heath - b; Art Blakey - dr.
1. The Blues Walk (Loose Walk) (Brown) 8:17
Dexter Gordon -- Gotham City
Woody blows some pretty good blues choruses.
In late 1980, Woody formed his second working quintet, featuring Steve Turre, Mulgrew Miller, Stafford James, and Tony Reedus. This group disbanded in July, 1983.
Right Track Studios, NYC; March 7, 9, 17, 1981
WS - tp, flg; Steve Turre - tb; Mulgrew Miller - p; Stafford James - b; Tony Reedus - dr; Gary Bartz - as.
1. United (Shorter) 5:19
2. The Greene Street Caper (WS) 5:28
3. What Is This Thing Called Love? (Porter) 9:40 [transcribed]
4. Pressing The Issue (Miller) 7:02
5. Katrina Ballerina (WS) 5:37
6. Blues For Wood (WS/Mathews) 7:18
Woody Shaw -- United
The Complete CBS Studio Recordings of Woody Shaw
A few small flaws, but this is more than compensated for by the inspired playing, above all by WS, over great tunes. This recording heralds the return to a more straight ahead style with the new quintet. His last album as a leader for Columbia.
In about 1982, Woody's association with the Columbia recording label ended, and Woody followed CBS records president Bruce Lundvall to Elektra Musician.
Vanguard Studios, NYC; January 7, 1982
WS - tp; Steve Turre - tb; Mulgrew Miller - p; Stafford James - b; Tony Reedus - dr.
1. Eastern Joy Dance (Miller) 9:41
2. Game (James) 6:42
3. Lotus Flower (Turre) 7:01
4. Rahsaan's Run (WS) 8:02 [transcribed]
5. Song of Songs (WS) 11:25
Woody Shaw -- Lotus Flower
Very good at times. Some very nice originals contributed by quintet members.
Live at The Jazz Forum, NYC; February 25, 1982
WS - tp, flg; Steve Turre - tb; Mulgrew Miller - p; Stafford James - b; Tony Reedus - dr; Bobby Hutcherson - vbs.
1. 400 Years Ago Tomorrow (Davis) 10:29
2. Diane (Rapee/Pollack) 10:26
3. Misterioso (Monk) 17:16
4. Sweet Love of Mine (WS) 9:42
5. Orange Crescent (Turre) 11:33
6. To Kill A Brick (WS) 11:30
7. Apex (Miller) 10:50
8. All The Things You Are (Kern/Hammerstein) 12:58
Woody Shaw -- Master of the Art: tracks 1-4
Woody Shaw -- Night Music: tracks 5-8
various artists -- Musician's Guide vol. 2: track 3
Master of the Art is fairly good, but uneven. Woody's solo on "Misterioso" is a standout.

Night Music sounds like performances not originally deemed worthy of inclusion on Master of the Art. The energy level of the entire band is very low. Not recommended. Woody himself admits he is not particularly proud of either of these albums in a Coda interview: "some of the cuts were really not worthy of release".

Live at the Playboy Jazz Festival; June 19-20, 1982
Dexter Gordon - ts; WS - tp; Kirk Lightsey - p; David Eubanks - b; Eddie Gladden - dr.
1. Fried Bananas (Gordon) 6:02
2. You've Changed (Fischer/Carey) 6:32
various artists -- The Playboy Jazz Festival 1982
Not really worthwhile from the standpoint of a WS afficionado. "Bananas" is taken at a pace that seems slightly uncomfortable for the group. "Changed" is a feature for Dex.
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; December 7-8, 1982
Benny Golson - ts; Freddie Hubbard - tp, flg; WS - tp; Kenny Barron - p; Cecil McBee - b; Ben Riley - dr.
1. I'll Remember April (Raye/Johnston/DePaul) 7:57
2. Time Speaks (Golson) 10:24
3. No Dancin' (Golson) 6:58
4. Jordu (Jordan) 10:35
5. Blues For Duane (Hubbard) 5:12
6. Theme For Maxine (WS) 8:17
Benny Golson -- Time Speaks (Dedicated to the Memory of Clifford Brown)
The chemistry in the combination of Hubbard and WS that led them to record "Double Take" is also in evidence here. These two are at their best when they're not lapsing into the usual high note battles endemic to trumpet pairings. Golson plays fairly well, but isn't at his peak. The LP and CD releases are listed separately above because the original LP release was under Golson's name, while the CD release gives equal billing to all the performers.
Live at "Osteria Delle Dame", Bologna; January 1, 1983
WS - tp; Steve Turre - tb, cshel; Mulgrew Miller - p; Stafford James - b; Tony Reedus - dr.
1. From Moment to Moment (WS) 11:54
2. Time Is Right (Singh) 11:56 [credited to WS]
3. You and the Night and the Music (Schwartz/Dietz) 12:06
4. We'll Be Together Again (Fischer/Laine) 10:21
Woody Shaw -- Time Is Right
Some fine moments, but there's a general lack of "spark". The more "straight-ahead" treatments and lack of strings and vocals on "Time Is Right" and "We'll Be Together Again" do make for pleasant contrast with the For Sure! versions. Turre pulls out his conch shells on "Time", which some might find an annoying gimmick.
The Detroit Institute of the Arts; Aug. 26, 1983 (although the liner notes mention "1984")
Roy Brooks - dr, perc; WS - tp.
1. Elegy for Eddie Jefferson (WS/Brooks) 12:06
2. Jeffuso (WS/Brooks) 2:27
Roy Brooks -- Duet In Detroit
various artists -- Trumpets in Modern Jazz: track 2
Creative improvisation with minimal song structure. In the tradition of Woody's The Iron Men but not as "modern". -- Mark Goldstein

Two completely improvised pieces in an instrumentation you don't hear too often. The rest of the album consists of duets with pianists Randy Weston, Don Pullen, and Geri Allen.

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; December 1, 1983
WS - tp, flg; Cedar Walton - p; Buster Williams - b; Victor Jones - dr.
1. There Is No Greater Love (Jones/Symes)
2. All The Way
3. Spiderman Blues
4. The Touch Of Your Lips
5. What's New (Haggart/Burke)
6. When Love Is New
Woody Shaw -- Setting Standards
Woody Shaw -- Dark Journey: track 3
Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; December 28, 1984
Kenny Garrett - as; WS - tp, flg; Mulgrew Miller - p; Nat Reeves - b; Tony Reedus - dr.
1. For Openers (Garrett) 6:20
2. Have You Met Miss Jones (Rodgers/Hart) 9:10
4. Blues In The Afternoon (Miller) 3:54
5. Oriental Tow-Away Zone (Garrett) 4:27
6. Until Tomorrow (Garrett) 8:42
7. Reedus' Dance (Garrett) 6:03
Kenny Garrett -- Introducing Kenny Garrett
By this time, Woody is playing in the more lyrical style characteristic of his later years. Good performances by all, especially Garrett.
Live at Town Hall, NYC; February 22, 1985
McCoy Tyner - p; Jackie McLean - as; WS - tp; Cecil McBee - b; Jack DeJohnette - dr.
1. Appointment In Ghana (McLean) 7:05
2. Passion Dance (Tyner) 7:45
3. Blues On The Corner (Tyner) 7:09
various artists - One Night With Blue Note Preserved volume 2
various artists -- The Jazz Event of the Decade - One Night With Blue Note Preserved - specially selected airplay tracks: track 2
It's interesting to hear the 60's collaborators back together, even if no real sparks fly. Everyone is in good form.
Studio 44, Monster, Holland; April 3, 1985
WS - tp, flg; Tone Jansa - ts, as, fl; Renato Chicco - p; Peter Herbert - b; Dragan Gajic - dr.
1. Midi (Jansa) 5:52
2. Boland (Jansa) 5:48
3. Call Mobility (Jansa) 7:37
4. River (Jansa) 8:15
5. Folk Song (Jansa) 4:44
6. May (Jansa) 8:18
Woody Shaw -- Woody Shaw with the Tone Jansa Quartet
Woody's later collaboration with Jansa, Dr. Chi, is much more satisfying, both in improvisation and in Jansa's originals. Jansa's quartet is talented, but most everything sounds perfunctory.
Sonet Studios, Stockholm; July 3, 1985
WS - tp; Dizzy Reece - tp; Slide Hampton - tb; Johnny Griffin - ts; Nathan Davis - ts, ss, fl; Kenny Drew - p; Jimmy Woode - b; Billy Brooks - dr.
1. Klook's Theme (Davis) 8:07
2. Sweet Love of Mine (WS) 6:21
3. The Burner (Reece) 7:42
4. Waltz (Hampton) 8:55
5. Callitwhachawanna (Griffin) 8:21
The Paris Reunion Band -- French Cooking
A probably under-rehearsed band with intonation problems that doesn't do justice to some rather good charts.
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; November 21-22, 1985
Freddie Hubbard - tp; WS - tp; Kenny Garrett - as; Mulgrew Miller - p; Cecil McBee - b; Carl Allen - dr.
1. Sandu (Brown) 4:26
2. Boperation (Navarro/McGhee) 4:51
3. Lament For Booker (Hubbard) 6:19
4. Hub * Tones (Hubbard) 6:18
5. Desert Moonlight (Morgan) 7:59
6. Just A Ballad For Woody (Trainello/Shaw) 5:26
7. Lotus Blossom (Dorham) 8:12
Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw -- Double Take
Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw - The Freddie Hubbard-Woody Shaw Sessions
A meeting between these two trumpet giants devoted to the history of bop trumpet. Both Freddie and Woody are in fine form, "battling" over ideas rather than chops. This session has the edge over their later collaboration that produced "The Eternal Triangle".

In the trivia department, the liner notes claim Lee Morgan's "Desert Moonlight" is based on a 19th-century Japanese children's song. The Japanese children's song, translated as "Moonlit Desert", was written in 1923 with music by Suguru Sasaki and words by Masao Kato, according to 101 Favorite Songs Taught in Japanese Schools, edited by Ichiro Nakano.

Live at Baker's Keyboard Lounge, Detroit; February 26-27, 1986
WS - tp; Geri Allen - p; Robert Hurst - b; Roy Brooks - dr.
1. Bemsha Swing (Monk/Best) 10:29
2. Ginseng People (WS) 12:06
3. Well You Needn't (Monk) 14:34
4. United (Shorter) 11:39
5. Nutty (Monk) 13:08
6. In a Capricornian Way (WS) 15:40
7. Star Eyes (Raye/DePaul) 15:38
Woody Shaw -- Bemsha Swing
A jam-session-like date, heavy on Monk tunes. Geri Allen shines.
Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; March 24, 1986
WS - tp; Kenny Garrett - as; Peter Leitch - gtr; Kenny Barron - p; Neil Swainson - b; Victor Jones - dr.
1. There Will Never Be Another You (Gordon/Warren) 6:55 [transcribed]
2. You Stepped Out Of A Dream (Brown/Kahn) 5:29 [transcribed]
3. Speak Low (Nash/Weill) 8:55 [transcribed]
4. Solid (Rollins) 4:39
5. It Might As Well Be Spring (Hammerstein/Rodgers) 10:00
6. The Woody Woodpecker Song (Idriss/Tibbles) 3:42
Woody Shaw -- Solid
Woody Shaw -- Dark Journey: tracks 3,6
A good example of Woody's later-period lyrical style.
Radio Ljubljana, Yugoslavia; July 27-28, 1986
WS - tp, flg; Tone Jansa - ts, ss; Renato Chicco - p; Peter Herbert - b; Alexander Deutsch - dr.
1. Dr. Chi (WS) 15:15
2. Odra (Jansa) 8:03
3. Stroll and Flight (Jansa) 12:30
4. Nostalgia (Jansa) 3:45
5. Chain (Jansa) 8:47
6. Zoltan (WS) 8:35
Tone Jansa Quartet featuring Woody Shaw -- Dr. Chi
Very good performances, mostly on fine Jansa originals. Jansa's quartet is a cooker.
Live at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival; August 30-31, 1986
Freddie Hubbard - tp (1,2); WS - tpt; Kenny Garrett - as (1,2); Jackie McLean - as (3,4); Cedar Walton - p; Buster Williams - b; Billy Higgins - dr.
1. Desert Moonlight (Morgan)
2. Misty (Garner)
3. Cool Struttin' (Clark)
4. Sonny's Crib (Clark)
Freddie Hubbard/Woody Shaw Sextet -- Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival '86 with Blue Note
Jackie McLean/Woody Shaw Quintet -- Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival '86 with Blue Note
Live at The Village Vanguard, NYC; September 16, 1986
WS - tp, flg; Charlie Rouse - ts, fl; Mal Waldron - p; Reggie Workman - b; Ed Blackwell - dr.
1. Status Seeking (Waldron) 20:19
2. The Git Go (Waldron) 25:31
3. Snake Out (Waldron) 17:19
4. Judy (Waldron) 12:42
5. The Seagulls of Kristiansund (Waldron) 26:02
Mal Waldron Quintet -- The Git Go: tracks 1-2
Mal Waldron Quintet -- The Seagulls of Kristiansund: tracks 3-5
Penguin heaps praise on Seagulls, but to these ears the performance "has its ups and downs". Some of the solos sound extended for a bit too long, repeating ideas several times; Woody is particularly guilty of this. Git Go is less remarkable.
Live at The Village Vanguard, NYC; September ~16, 1986?
WS - tp, flg; Charlie Rouse - ts, fl; Mal Waldron - p; Reggie Workman - b; Ed Blackwell - dr.
1. The Git Go (Waldron) 21:05
2. All Alone (Waldron) 17:35
3. Fire Waltz (Waldron) 19:18
Mal Waldron and Friends -- Live at the Village Vanguard vol. 4
These would seem to be from the same series of dates as the "Git-Go/Seagulls of Kristiansund" albums, but the copyright date is 1984. The recording was part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Village Vanguard.
WS moved to Europe at some time during the last few years of his life, living in Bern, Switzerland, and in Amsterdam. He taught at several jazz schools and toured with various jazz bands in Europe.
Sonet Studios, Stockholm; October 23-24, 1986
WS - tp; Nat Adderley - tp; Joe Henderson - ts; Nathan Davis - ts; Grachan Moncur III - tb; Kenny Drew - p; Jimmy Woode - b; Idris Muhammad - dr.
1. Work Song (Adderley) 8:25
2. For Klook (Drew) 5:49
3. The Man from Potter's Crossing (Woode) 4:48
4. Jamaican Hot Nights (Davis) 10:36
5. Gaby (Hennessey) 7:41
6. Locksley (Hampton) 4:45
Paris Reunion Band -- For Klook
None of the musicians are in top form; Nat Adderley, in particular, has chops problems. Most of the original compositions are unremarkable.
Live at Bazillus Zurich; February 7, 1987 Live at Muhle Hunziken Bern; February 8, 1987
WS - tp; Fred Henke - p; Neil Swainson - b; Alex Deutsch - dr.
1. The Organ Grinder (WS) 8:29
2. In Your Own Sweet Way (Brubeck) 8:29
3. The Dragon (Henke) 8:43
4. Just a Ballad for Woody (Trainello) 9:59
5. Sippin' At Bells (Davis) 7:18
6. Estate (Martino) 5:16
7. Joshua C. (WS) 13:32
Woody Shaw Quartet -- In My Own Sweet Way
various artists -- Jazz Unlimited: track 5
Among Woody's best. The entire quintet plays beautifully; all the ideas seem fresh. Every track is a gem.
Studio 306, Toronto, Canada; May, 1987
Neil Swainson - b; Jerry Fuller - dr; Joe Henderson - ts; WS - tp, flg; Gary Williamson - p
1. 49th Parallel (Swainson) 8:41
2. Port of Spain (Swainson) 5:09
3. Southern Exposure (Swainson) 7:14
4. On The Lam (Swainson) 5:46
5. Homestretch (Henderson) 6:15
Neil Swainson -- 49th Parallel
A good release. The liner notes claim this is Woody's final studio recording date, but it cannot be unless the credits are misprinted.
Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; June 11-12, 1987
Freddie Hubbard - tp; WS - tp; Kenny Garrett - as; Mulgrew Miller - p; Ray Drummond - b; Carl Allen - dr.
1. Down Under (Hubbard) 7:35
2. The Eternal Triangle (Stitt) 7:47
3. The Moontrane (WS) 6:28
4. Calling Miss Khadija (Morgan) 6:38 [transcribed]
5. Nostrand and Fulton (Hubbard) 6:09
6. Tomorrow's Destiny (WS) 7:04
7. Sao Paulo (Dorham) 8:10
8. Reets and I (Harris) 6:41
Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw -- The Eternal Triangle (CD)
Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw -- The Eternal Triangle (LP): tracks 1-6
Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw -- The Freddie Hubbard-Woody Shaw Sessions
Another pairing focused on the trumpet tradition without undue emphasis on bravura. Some of the enthusiasm of their earlier collaboration that produced "Double Take" is missing here, but each trumpeter has his moments.
Van Gelder Studios, New Jersey; June 24, 1987
WS - tp; Steve Turre - tb; Kirk Lightsey - p; Ray Drummond - bass; Carl Allen - dr.
1. If I Were A Bell (Loesser) 5:21 [transcribed]
2. Imagination (Van Huesen/Burke) 7:24
3. Dat Dere (Timmons) 8:08
4. You and the Night and the Music (Schwartz/Dietz) 5:59 [transcribed]
5. Stormy Weather (Arlen/Koehler) 7:55
6. Steve's Blues (Turre) 4:46
Woody Shaw -- Imagination
Woody Shaw -- Dark Journey: tracks 2,3
Like earlier albums Solid and In My Own Sweet Way, this release contains excellent examples of the lyricism of Woody's style in later years, particularly on track "Imagination". Very well played, with a dynamite rhythm section.
Friedrichstadtpalast, Berlin; June 4, 1988
Nat Adderley - tp; WS - tp; Curtis Fuller - tb; Nathan Davis - sax; Joe Henderson - sax; Walter Bishop Jr. - p; Jimmy Woode - b; Idris Muhammad - dr.
1. Hot Licks (Davis) 5:24
2. Rue Chaptal (Clarke) 10:05
3. Bags Groove (Jackson) 6:31
4. Work Song (Adderley) 6:55
5. Sweet Love of Mine (WS) 8:18
Paris Reunion Band -- Jazz Buhne Berlin 1988
Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival; July 9, 1988
Carlos Ward - as, fl; WS - tp; Walter Schmocker - b; Alex Deutsch - dr.
1. Lito (i, ii, iii) (Ward) 24:28
2. Pettiford Bridge (Ward) 7:42
3. Lee (Ward) 13:05
4. First Love (Ward) 5:23
5. Sundance (Ward) 7:38
Carlos Ward Quartet featuring Woody Shaw -- Lito
Good playing, especially by Ward, over some funky charts. There seems to be some disagreement among the musicians about the form of the title track; it sounds like you can hear the soloists registering displeasure with the bassist at a couple of unexpected or overdue chord changes. Woody is at his best playing figures behind Ward's solos.
Live at Theaterhaus, Stuttgart, W. Germany; summer, 1988
WS - tp; Joe Henderson - ts; Curtis Fuller - tb; Nathan Davis - ts, ss; Nat Adderley - tp; Idris Muhammad - dr; Walter Bishop, Jr. - p; Jimmy Woode - b
1. Tune Down (Drew)
2. Work Song (Adderley)
3. The Man from Potter's Crossing (Woode)
4. Hot Licks (Davis)
5. Sweet Love of Mine (WS)
Paris Reunion Band -- Live at Theaterhaus, Stuttgart, W. Germany
A good concert; the best from the PRB I've heard.
Woody fell ill in 1988 and moved back to the US. Woody died of kidney failure on May 10, 1989 at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He was survived by his father, Woody Shaw Sr., his mother, Rosalie, his 10-year-old son, Woody Louis Armstrong Shaw III, and two brothers and a sister.

Discography by Album Release

The entries below are arranged in alphabetical order of the name of the leader under whose name the release is credited. For each leader, the entries are further arranged in alphabetical order of the album name.

Jump to releases for artist last name starting with letter:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z (or various artists)
Jump to releases credited to Woody Shaw

Bartz, Gary Ntu Troop -- Home!; Milestone MSP 9027, ~1970 (LP)

Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society, Baltimore, MD; March 30, 1969

Walter Bishop, Jr. -- Coral Keys; Black Jazz B/J 2, 1971 (LP)

?; 1970-1971?

Blakey, Art -- And The Jazz Messengers, vol. 1 - Child's Dance; Prestige PRCD 24130-2, 1994 (CD)

Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; July 28, 1972
Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; March 26-29, 1973

Repackages album Child's Dance and part of Anthenagain.

Blakey, Art -- And The Jazz Messengers, vol. 2 - Mission Eternal; Prestige PRCD-24159-2, 1995 (CD)

Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; March 26-29, 1973

***

Repackages album Buhaina and part of Anthenagain.

Blakey, Art -- Anthenagain; Prestige 10076, 1974 (LP)

Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; March 26-29, 1973

AMG ****1/2

Blakey, Art -- Buhaina; Prestige 10067, 1973 (LP)

Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; March 26-29, 1973

AMG ***

Blakey, Art -- Child's Dance; Prestige 10047, 1972? (LP)
Blakey, Art -- And The Jazz Messengers, vol. 1 - Child's Dance; Prestige PRCD-24130-2, 1994 (CD)

Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; July 28, 1972

***(*); Penguin **(*); AMG ***

Blakey, Art -- The History of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers; Blue Note CDP 7 97190 2, 1991 (3CD)

Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA; March 26-29, 1973

AMG ****1/2

A "sampler" album of various Blakey groups.

Blakey, Art -- Mellow Blues; Moon MCD 032-2, 1991 (CD)

Live in New Jersey (probably Rutgers University); April 15, 1969

***; Penguin (***)

This doubly inappropriately titled album consists of bootleg-quality recordings probably taken from a broadcast of a performance at Rutgers University.

Brooks, Roy -- Duet In Detroit; Enja 7067, 1993 (CD)

The Detroit Institute of the Arts; Aug. 26, 1983

***(*); Penguin ***(*); AMG ****

Brooks, Roy -- The Free Slave; Muse 5003 (LP); 32Jazz 32???, 1998 (CD)

Live at the Left Bank Jazz Society, Baltimore, MD; April 26, 1970

AMG ****

Chambers, Joe -- The Almoravid; Muse MR 5035 (LP)

Sound Idea Studio, NYC; February 10, 1971

Down Beat **** (2/75); AMG ****

Reviewed in Down Beat, February 13, 1975, by Metalitz.

"Joe Chambers is a refreshing reminder that the drum set can be a fount of shade and subtlety as well as a source of raw power... Medina is a standout, due in large part to Woody Shaw." -- from the Down Beat review by Metalitz

Corea, Chick, et al -- Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner; Atlantic 1696, 1976 (LP); 1696-2 (CD)

Atlantic Recording Studios, NYC; November 30 & December 1, 1966

AMG ***

Corea, Chick -- Before Forever; Pickwick QJ-25011, 1978 (LP)

New York; June 30, 1969

A release of various early Corea sessions.

Corea, Chick -- Best Of Chick Corea, The; Blue Note 777-7-89282-2-5, 1993 (CD)

Atlantic Recording Studios, NYC; November 30 & December 1, 1966

Corea, Chick -- Chick Corea (Blue Note Reissue Series); Blue Note BN LA395-H2, 1975 (LP)

New York; June 30, 1969

Corea, Chick featuring Lionel Hampton -- Chick Corea featuring Lionel Hampton; Chiaroscuro CR 2021, 1980 (LP)

New York; June 30, 1969

Corea, Chick -- Early Days; LRC CDC 7969, 1989 (CD); Denon 33C38 7969 (CD)

New York; June 30, 1969

**(*); Penguin **(*)

A release of various early Corea sessions.

Corea, Chick -- Inner Space; Atlantic SD 2-305 (LP); Atlantic 2-305-2, 1988 (CD)

Atlantic Recording Studios, NYC; November 30 & December 1, 1966

***(*); AMG *****

Corea, Chick -- Is; Solid State (United Artists) SS 18055 (LP)

New York; June 30, 1969

**

A release of various early Corea sessions.

Corea, Chick -- Jazzman; CBS 51-West Q16078, 1979 (LP)

New York; June 30, 1969

A release of various early Corea sessions.

Corea, Chick -- Sundance; Groove Merchant GM 530 (LP); GM 2202 (LP); CD 2625092, 1990 (CD)

New York; June 30, 1969

AMG *1/2

A release of various early Corea sessions.

Corea, Chick and Longo, Mike -- Piano Giants; Groove Merchant GM-4406, 1974 (LP); GM 520; GM 3300

New York; June 30, 1969

Corea, Chick -- Tones for Joan's Bones; Vortex 2004, 1968 (LP)

Atlantic Recording Studios, NYC; November 30 & December 1, 1966

AMG ****1/2

Cowell, Stanley -- Brilliant Circles; Arista-Freedom 1009, 1975 (LP); Freedom TKCB-70387, 1994 (CD)

Olmsted Sound Studios, NYC; September 25, 1969

****; AMG ****

Davis, Nathan -- Happy Girl; Saba G SB15025N (LP); MPS CRM 602 (LP); MPS 15.025 (LP)

Villingen, Black Forest, Germany; January 30, 1965

Released in France on the Privilege label (LP).

****

Davis, Nathan -- The Nathan Davis Sextet; EPM FDC 5529, 1990 (CD)

Studio de la Comedie des Champs-Elysees, Paris; May 7, 1965

***

Rerelease of Peace Treaty.

Davis, Nathan -- Peace Treaty; SFP 10.003 (LP mono)

Studio de la Comedie des Champs-Elysees, Paris; May 7, 1965

Rereleased on The Nathan Davis Sextet.

Davis, Nathan -- Two Originals; MPS 539 082-2, 1998 (CD)

Villingen, Black Forest, Germany; January 30, 1965

Rerelease of Happy Girl and another album named The Hip Walk (sans WS).

Dolphy, Eric -- Conversations; Celluloid CELL 5014, 1986 (LP); Restless 7 72660-2, 1986 (CD); Fred Miles FM-308; VeeJay VJLP2503; Fontana (C) 688.521ZL; Exodus EX6005; Joy 116; DJM 22041; Epitaph E-4010; Affinity AFF47; Tobacco Road B2536; Trip TLP5012; Teichiku KUX-53, ULS-1655; RCA (VeeJay) RJL-2662, RJL-6003 (CD)

Music Makers, Inc.; May-June, 1963

***(*); AMG ***

Dolphy, Eric -- Everest Archives of Folk and Jazz; Everest FS227 (LP)

Music Makers, Inc.; May-June, 1963

Dolphy, Eric -- Iron Man; Celluloid CELL 5015, 1986 (LP); CELCD 5015, 1986 (CD); Westwind 2057 (CD)

Music Makers, Inc.; May-June, 1963

***(*); Penguin **(*); AMG ***

Original release of Iron Man was Douglas SD785, according to Penguin.

Dolphy, Eric -- Jitterbug Waltz; Douglas ADLP 6002, 1976 (2LP)

Music Makers, Inc.; May-June, 1963

AMG *****

Dolphy, Eric -- Memorial Album; Vee Jay FHCY-1018 (CD)

Music Makers, Inc.; May-June, 1963

Dolphy, Eric -- Music Matador; LeJazz CD 14, 1993 (CD)

Music Makers, Inc.; May-June, 1963

Ervin, Booker -- Back From The Gig (Blue Note Reissue Series); BN-LA488-HZ, 1976 (LP)

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; May 24, 1968

AMG ****1/2

"Definite ****(*) in my view." -- Matt Schofield

"Recorded 5/24/68, not released till here; note that cover says 6/24, but I go with the Cuscuna-Ruppli discography, especially since next Blue Note recording session was indeed on 6/24, by Duke Pearson. BACK FROM THE GIG is an excellent twofer. The one LP Shaw is on is really good, though I think Ervin overshadows Shaw here. The best of Shaw's playing here is 'Gichi', which is a nice, ominous minor-groove thing. And for Ervin you have '204' which is a burner from the get-go." -- Marcel-Franck Simon

Ervin, Booker -- Booker Ervin; Blue Note BST-84314, 1969 (LP)

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; May 24, 1968

AMG ***

Fortune, Sonny -- Serengeti Minstrel; Atlantic 18225

Generation Sound Studios, NYC; April 7, 1977

AMG ***

Garrett, Kenny -- Introducing Kenny Garrett; Criss Cross 1014 CD, 1985 (CD)

Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; December 28, 1984

***; Penguin ***

Gilson, Jef -- A Caveau; Societe Francaise SFP 10004

Paris, France; May 15, 1965

Golson, Benny -- Time Speaks (Dedicated to the Memory of Clifford Brown); Baystate RJL8054, 1983? (LP)
Golson, Benny/Hubbard, Freddie/Shaw, Woody/Barron, Kenny/McBee, Cecil/Riley, Ben -- Time Speaks (Dedicated to the Memory of Clifford Brown); Timeless CDSJP 187, 1985 (CD)

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; December 7-8, 1982

***; Penguin ***

Reviewed in Down Beat, May, 1991, v58 n5, by Frank-John Hadley

Gordon, Dexter -- Best Of Dexter Gordon, The; Columbia JC 36356, 1980 (LP)

Live at The Village Vanguard, NYC; December 11-12, 1976
Sound Ideas, NYC; June 21-22, 1977

Gordon, Dexter -- Gotham City; Columbia CK 36853, 1981 (CD)

Session location and date not listed

***; AMG ***

Gordon, Dexter -- Great Encounters; Columbia JC 35978, 1979 (LP)

CBS Recording Studios, NYC; January 26, 1979

***; AMG ***

Gordon, Dexter -- Homecoming; Columbia CS 34650, 1977 (2LP); Columbia C2K 46824, 1990 (2CD)

Live at The Village Vanguard, NYC; December 11-12, 1976

***(*); AMG ****1/2

LP reviewed in Down Beat, August, 1991, v58 n8, by Art Lange.

Material from Dexter's much-heralded "return to the U.S." concerts. Woody made quite an impression with this record; it is said to have led to his signing by Columbia Records.

Gordon, Dexter -- Sophisticated Giant; Columbia AL 34989, 1977 (LP); CBS 467181 2, 1990 (CD)

Sound Ideas, NYC; June 21-22, 1977

***; Penguin **(*); AMG ****

This is the original release of the album without the Great Encounters tracks.

Gordon, Dexter -- Sophisticated Giant; Columbia CK 65295, 1997 (CD)

Sound Ideas, NYC; June 21-22, 1977
CBS Recording Studios, NYC; January 26, 1979

***

This release of the album adds material from the Great Encounters sessions.

Gruntz, George Trumpet Machine -- For Flying Out Proud; MPS (Metronome) 0068.190 (LP); MPS 15.503 (LP)

?; June 27-29, 1977

Gruntz, George Concert Jazz Band, The -- GG-CJB; MPS (Metronome) 0068.215 (LP); MPS (Metronome) 0068.290
Gruntz, George Concert Jazz Band, The -- GG-CJB; MPS 15.531 (LP)

MPS studios, Villingen, W. Germany; September 22-23, 1978
Zurich Schauspielhaus, Switzerland; October 1, 1978

Hampton, Lionel -- Music of Charles Mingus, The; Who's Who 21005 (LP)

NYC; November, 1977

AMG ***

Hampton, Lionel and Friends -- Rare Recordings vol. 1; Telarchive 83318, 1992 (CD)

NYC; November, 1977

Penguin ***; AMG **1/2

Hampton, Lionel -- Vintage Hampton; Telarchive CD-83321, 1993 (CD)

NYC; November, 1977

Hayes, Louis -- Real Thing, The; Muse MR 5215, 1978 (LP)

CI Recording Studios, NYC; May 20-21, 1977

***; AMG *****

Hayes, Louis and Cook, Junior -- Ichi-Ban; Timeless SJP 102, 1976 (LP); Timeless-Muse TI 307, 1979 (LP); CD SJP 102, 1989 (CD)

Generation Sound Studio, NYC; May 5, 1976

**(*); Penguin ***; AMG ***

Hayes, Louis and Shaw, Woody Quintet -- Swiss Radio Days Vol. 5: Lausanne 1977; TCB 2052, 1996 (CD)

live at Salle d'Epalinges, Lausanne, Sweden; February 4, 1977

***

Reviewed in Down Beat, May, 1997
Reviewed in Jazz Journal International, June, 1997
Reviewed in Jazznu, #215, 1997

Henderson, Joe -- Blue Note Years, The; Blue Note CDP-0777-7-89287-20 (3CD)

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; November 10, 1965

Penguin ****; AMG ***

Henderson, Joe -- If You're Not Part of the Solution, You're Part of the Problem (a.k.a. Live at the Lighthouse); Milestone 9028 (LP)

live at The Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, CA; September 24-26, 1970

AMG ****

Henderson, Joe -- In Pursuit of Blackness; Milestone MSP-9034 (LP)

live at The Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, CA; September 24-26, 1970

Henderson, Joe -- Tetragon/In Pursuit of Blackness; BGP CDBGPD 084, 1994 (CD)

live at The Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, CA; September 24-26, 1970

***(*); Penguin ***(*)
Henderson, Joe -- The Milestone Years; Milestone 8MCD-4413-2, 1994 (8CD)

live at The Lighthouse Cafe, Hermosa Beach, CA; September 24-26, 1970

***(*); Penguin ***; AMG *****

Henderson, Joe and Shaw, Woody -- Jazz Patterns; Everest Records (Archive of Folk & Jazz) FS-363 (LP)

?; September, 1970?

Herman, Woody -- Concord Years; Concord Jazz CCD-4557, 1993 (CD)

Live at The Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, CA; September 15, 1979

AMG ***

A sampler of Herman's recordings for the Concord label.

Herman, Woody -- Woody and Friends; Concord CCD-4170, 1981 (CD)

Live at The Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, CA; September 15, 1979

**; Penguin ***; AMG ****

Hill, Andrew -- Lift Every Voice; Blue Note 84330, 1970 (LP)

May 16, 1969

AMG **1/2

Hubbard, Freddie and Shaw, Woody -- Double Take; Blue Note BT 85121 (LP); Blue Note CDP 7 46294 2, 1986 (CD)

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; November 21-22, 1985

***(*); Penguin ***(*); AMG ***/*****

Hubbard, Freddie and Shaw, Woody -- Eternal Triangle, The; Blue Note B1-48017, 1988 (LP); Blue Note CDP 7480172 (CD)

Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; June 11-12, 1987

***; Penguin ***(*)

Hubbard, Freddie and Shaw, Woody - Freddie Hubbard-Woody Shaw Sessions, The; Blue Note CDP 7243 8 32747 2 7, 1995 (CD)

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; November 21-22, 1985
Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ; June 11-12, 1987

AMG **1/2

Reviewed in Cadence, Dec., 1995
Reviewed in Cuadernos de Jazz, #32, 1996
Reviewed in Musica Jazz, Jan., 1996

Repackages albums Double Take and The Eternal Triangle together.

Hubbard, Freddie/Shaw, Woody Sextet -- Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival '86 with Blue Note; TOEMI L080-1088 (LD,VC)

Live at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival; August 30-31, 1986

Hutcherson, Bobby -- Cirrus; Blue Note BN-LA257-G, 1974 (LP)

Wally Heider Recording Studio, LA; April 17-18, 1974

***; AMG **1/2

Hutcherson, Bobby -- Live At Montreux; Blue Note BN LA 249-G, 1974 (LP); Blue Note CDP 7243 8 27819 2 9, 1994 (CD)

Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival; July 5, 1973

***; AMG ****1/2

Jansa, Tone Quartet featuring Woody Shaw -- Dr. Chi; Timeless CDSJP 241, 1989 (CD)

Radio Ljubljana, Yugoslavia; July 27-28, 1986

****

Lawrence, Azar -- Bridge Into New Age; Prestige P-10086, 1974 (LP)

?; September, 1974

Down Beat **** (3/75)

Reviewed in Down Beat, March 13, 1975, by Mandel

McLean, Jackie -- 'Bout Soul; Blue Note BST 84284 (LP); Blue Note CDP 7243 8 59383 2 0, 1997 (CD)

Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey; September 8, 1968

***; AMG ****

McLean, Jackie -- Demon's Dance; Blue Note CDP 7 84345 2, 1987 (CD)

Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey; December 22, 1967

***; Penguin ***(*); AMG ****1/2

McLean, Jackie/Shaw, Woody Quintet -- Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival '86 with Blue Note; TOEMI L080-1088 (LD,VC)

Live at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival; August 30-31, 1986

Mingus, Charles -- Charlie Mingus; Jazz Classics AU 36000 (CD)

NYC; November, 1977

Mingus, Charles -- His Final Work; RTV Communications (CD)

NYC; November, 1977

AMG ***

Mingus, Charles -- Sound Of Jazz, The; Cleo CLCD 65005, compiled 1988 (CD)