Phil Woods - This Is How I Feel About Quincy (2004)

On this CD, altoist Phil Woods pays tribute to arranger-composer Quincy Jones with whom he worked on several occasions in the 1950s and '60s. Woods' quintet, consisting of two other major soloists (trumpeter Brian Lynch and pianist Bill Charlap) plus the same bassist and drummer (Steve Gilmore and Bill Goodwin) that he has used since 1974, is augmented by four versatile musicians to form a "little big band." Woods, who is in top form, performs a dozen vintage Quincy Jones songs plus his own "Q's Delight." The leader wrote all but one of the arrangements, which are usually based on Jones' big band charts but adopted for the nonet. Few surprises occur but the music is pretty timeless. Jones obscurities alternate with such familiar pieces as "Stockholm Sweetnin'," "The Quintessence," "For Lena and Lennie," and the beautiful "The Midnight Sun Will Never Set." Woods' tribute works quite well and is easily recommended.