Here's to My Lady

As part of it's 40th anniversary celebration, Chesky Records is proud to reissue Phil Woods' Here's To My Lady.Originally released in 1989 as an early milestone for the label, this landmark session teams the legendary altosaxophonist-then at the absolute peak of his powers at age 57-with the incomparable Tommy Flanagan Trio. Atitan of the genre for over 60 years, Woods masterfully combined a lush, beautiful tone with a complete commandof the bebop vocabulary. Backed by veteran pianist Tommy Flanagan, former Oscar Peterson Trio bassist GeorgeMraz, and a young, up-and-coming Kenny Washington on drums, the quartet delivers a timeless set of acoustic jazzthat sounds as vital and vibrant today as it did nearly four decades ago.The album showcases the quartet tackling a brilliant, wide-ranging repertoire with effortless sophistication. Thetracklist balances post-bop originals by modern masters like Tom Harrell and Hal Galper alongside deeply personaltributes to jazz royalty, including Johnny Hodges and Charlie Parker. From passionate, aching ballads to fiery,uptempo swing explorations, Woods' lyricism takes center stage. Listeners are also treated to a rare and highlypersonal showcase of Woods' virtuosity on the clarinet, an instrument he commands with the same warmth anddistinctive character as his legendary alto on three of the album's tracks.Captured during the early years of Chesky Records, the album serves as a masterclass in pure, unadulterated groupchemistry and audiophile engineering. The performance breathes with a lively, "in-the-room" presence thathighlights every nuance of the ensemble's interplay. Here's To My Lady will be reissued on SACD Hybrid Stereo and180g One-step Pressing Vinyl LP as part of the Chesky Original Masters series