Alto saxophone giant and NEA Jazz Master Phil Woods, an unrepentant bebopper who parlayed a love for the music of Charlie Parker into a six-decade career as a highly respected leader and first-call sideman, died today, Sept. 29, in East Stroudsburg, Pa., at age 83. The cause of death was emphysema. Woods’ death was confirmed online by his agent, Joel Chriss.
Woods had announced his retirement from live performance earlier this month, after finishing a performance of the music from Charlie Parker With Strings featuring a local trio and members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Until that time, he’d remained an active performer.
Start Your Free Trial to Continue Reading
Become a JazzTimes member to explore our complete archive of interviews, profiles, columns, and reviews written by music's best journalists and critics.
