Woody Shaw: All the Way
Musicians:
Woody Shaw (trumpet), Cedar Walton (piano), Buster Williams (bass),
Victor Jones (drums)
.Composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn
.Recorded: Englewood Cliffs, NJ, December 1, 1983
Rating: 92/100 (learn more)
Even as Woody Shaw‘s profile became a little lower in the 1980s, his art was still deepening and gaining a rich patina of experience and wisdom. This cut, from a late 1983 session of mostly standards, is proof positive. Woody’s mastery here enables him to take a more “inside” stance while preserving full freedom to employ his own lexicon in the most subtle, nuanced way. You can really hear Woody’s affinity with Lee Morgan on this song, associated with the slightly older trumpeter—and know that Woody was just as much a master of the jazz ballad. Woody here is not just paying tribute to, but making the tradition new with the heavy “authenticity effect” of his artistry. Also of note is the mastery of pianist Cedar Walton here, as always!
Reviewer: Brian Lynch
Tags: 1980s jazz · all the way · trumpet
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