Phil Woods

Philip Wells Woods (born in 1931) is an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.

Woods studied music with Lennie Tristano, who would influence Woods greatly, at the

Philip Wells Woods (born in 1931) is an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.

Woods studied music with Lennie Tristano, who would influence Woods greatly, at the Manhattan School of Music and at The Juilliard School. His principal instrument at the time was clarinet. Once graduated, he quickly acquired a reputation as the pre-eminent bop saxophonist of the day; although he did not copy Charlie "Bird" Parker, bop's greatest saxophonist, he was known as the New Bird, a label which was also attached to other superb alto players such as Sonny Stitt and Cannonball Adderley at one time or another in their careers.