Porgy and Bess

Dive into the rich, melodic world of Phil Woods' "Porgy and Bess," a captivating jazz album released in 2011. This album is a testament to the enduring appeal of George Gershwin's operatic masterpiece, reimagined through the lens of jazz virtuoso Phil Woods and the talented Jazz Class Orchestra. The album features Woods' masterful alto saxophone playing, accompanied by a stellar ensemble of musicians, including Emilio Soana and Fernando Brusco on trumpet and flugelhorn, and a powerful horn section led by Gabriele Comeglio and Giancarlo Porro on saxophone, and Mauro Parodi and Pierluigi Salvi on trombone.

The album's ten tracks offer a seamless blend of jazz styles, from hard bop and bebop to cool jazz, showcasing the versatility and skill of both the composer and the performers. Each piece is a standout, from the sultry "Summertime" to the lively "Here Come the Honey Man," and the hauntingly beautiful "My Man's Gone Now." The album also features the iconic "It Ain't Necessarily So" and the tender "I Love You Porgy," providing a well-rounded exploration of Gershwin's timeless compositions.

The arrangements, conducted by the brilliant Bill Potts, bring a fresh perspective to the classic opera, infusing it with the energy and improvisational spirit of jazz. The result is an album that celebrates the legacy of George Gershwin while highlighting the innovative spirit of Phil Woods and his collaborators. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or a fan of Gershwin's original work, "Porgy and Bess" is sure to captivate and inspire.

Phil Woods, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, was a titan of the alto saxophone, renowned for his bright, clean sound and sterling technique. A disciple of Charlie Parker, Woods developed his own signature voice in the mid-'50s and remained a formidable force in jazz for over six decades. He collaborated with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, and Benny Goodman, and his solos graced hit records by Paul Simon and Billy Joel. Woods was not just a virtuoso saxophonist but also a prolific composer and bandleader, with over 200 songs to his credit, including "The Sun Suite" and "American Songbook." His charismatic storytelling and insightful observations made him a beloved figure in jazz circles. Woods received the NEA Jazz Masters fellowship in 2007, cementing his legacy as one of the true masters of the bop vocabulary. His passing in 2015 marked the end of an era, but his music continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.