Woody Shaw‘s wide range of experiences was something that had a significant impact on the development of his own personal style and musical voice. Shaw's influences ranged from early jazz to Bela Bartok and yet he incorporated such varied tastes into an extremely rooted yet completely original approach to improvisation. His approach to jazz trumpet, is based on a unique harmonic language, which reflects his natural affinity towards modern classical music as well as the direct influence of Dolphy and Coltrane on his improvisational technique and concepts. In many ways, he is the last true innovator on his instrument and is well established as one of the major contributors in the line of great modern trumpet players that began with Louis Armstrong. His achievements are comparable to those of the greatest innovators of modern music, and contributions live on as a tremendous source of learning for future generations. Here is Volume Four in the ongoing series of Woody’s live performances from the richly fertile early 80s where Woody kept the company of Steve Turre, Victor Lewis, Stafford James and Larry Willis.

With Steve Turre, trombone; Larry Willis, piano; Stafford James, bass; Victor Lewis, drums

Tracks: When the Lights Are Low; Time Is Right; It Could Happen to You; Bye Bye Blackbird; Opec.

 When Lights Are Low

 It Could Happen To You

 Opec

 Bye Bye Blackbird