Emerging from the big bands and inspired by Charlie Parker, alto saxophonist Phil Woods was one of the most reliable players in mainstream jazz history. (Woods made his mark in the pop world as well -- that's him soloing on Billy Joel's hit "Just the Way You Are" and on the Steely Dan album Katy Lied.) While never reactionary or retro, Woods resolutely stuck to the bebop path blazed by Charlie Parker, and maintained a generally stable quartet or quintet beginning in 1973. Like that of his contemporary Art Pepper, his energetic, robust, and nimble sax-sound was a watermark in jazz playing. ~ Mark Keresman