posted by Robert J.Carmack
It was announced recently at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in Pittsburg,Pennsylvania that alto saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Phil Woods is retiring from performing because of challenging health issues. Woods was on hand to lead a local trio and the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra in a swinging reprisal of the Charlie Parker With Strings album.
Well, it was a historic concert but, before his last number, Mr. Woods, best known to Jazz aficionados as, one of the last surviving Charlie Parker disciples. announcing the present concert would be his last..Ever!
The 83-year-old Mr. Woods, who uses oxygen, jokingly refers to his tank as “my amplifier” later told the packed facility he has emphysema. That being the case, he wanted to go out with a bang. According to eye witnesses who were on hand to catch his final performance were quoted as saying, “If he was having any trouble breathing it surely didn’t show.”
Phil Woods, a top shelf performer, had a stellar backing unit with him from the Pittsburg area, bassist, Paul Thompson, pianist Alton Merrell, and drummer Tom Wendt.
For full concert review by Pittsburg Post-Gazette click on link below
Hipster Sanctuary 
I truly enjoyed Phil Woods history of Jazz music. it has been a journey,
yet & still This Saxophone player pled 2 his last breath…sleep on my prince.
Fr. Rita
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