Phil Woods And Carl Saunders CD

This session recorded in 2003 features the music of Henry Mancini played by a Quintet led by Phil Woods on alto saxophone and Carl Saunders on trumpet and flugelhorn. Featuring over 75 minutes of music the CD reprises some of Henry Mancini's greatest jazz compositions including The Pink Panther, Mr. Lucky and tunes from the Peter Gunn TV series soundtrack recordings."Even more than nine years after his death, Henry Mancini is the most famous of all film composers. His film writing was jazz-oriented without being jazz, and his arrangements were both subservient to a movie's story (as all scores must be) and strong enough to stand on their own apart from the picture." "One of the all-time great alto-saxophonists and a major force in the jazz scene since at least 1954, Phil Woods is not only one of the masters of bebop but a musician who through the years has extended the idiom through his personal voice, inventive repertoire and inspired settings." "Carl Saunders is not as world famous yet due to his valuable but underrated work as a lead trumpeter in big bands and being based in Los Angeles. But his playing on his three solo albums and the Jazzed Media CD "Phil Urso and Carl Saunders Salute Chet Baker" show just how tremendous a trumpeter he is, ranking near the top of his field." "Listeners will have no difficulty having fun listening to the infectious performances on one of the finest jazz tributes to the music of Henry Mancini."Scott Yanow,Author of eight jazz books including Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Record 1917-76, Bebop, Swing and Afro-Cuban Jazz

Producer Graham Carter deserves high praise for pairing alto sax legend Phil Woods with trumpeter/ flugelhornist Carl Saunders in a CD tribute to Henry Mancini. The two veterans gelled quickly with the rhythm section (pianist Jeff Jenkins, bassist Ken Walker, and drummer Paul Romaine), though Woods had never worked with any of them, and Saunders only with Romaine. A variety of arrangers scored the music for this session. "The Pink Panther" was the inevitable opener, though Woods and Saunders put their own stamp on this slinky, swinging masterpiece. Likewise, the gorgeous "Dreamsville" has been a favorite of jazz musicians, and this interpretation features some of the lushest solos by the two leaders on the date. The extended rendition of "Two for the Road" has several magical exchanges between Woods and Saunders (here on flugelhorn). But most of the tunes aren't as well known. The breezy "Lightly" is given a Latin flavor, while "Walkin' Bass" is a blues featuring Ken Walker's tasty bassline underneath Woods and Saunders (on muted trumpet). Their jaunty take of "Goofin' at the Coffee House," like "Lightly," is another hidden gem originally written for the Peter Gunn television series. This rewarding salute to what would have been Henry Mancini's 80th birthday should be considered essential; it can be found through www.jazzedmedia.com. ~ Ken Dryden

Personnel: Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Carl Saunders (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jeff Jenkins (piano); Ken Walker (bass instrument); Paul Romaine (drums).

JazzTimes (p.133) - "The hornmen zip between written and improvised passages like precision stunt drivers."