Phil Woods can usually be counted on to record consistently explosive bop-oriented sets with his regular quintet but
Astor & Elis is quite different. The altoist dedicates the performance to the singer
Elis Regina, the influential modern tango composer
Astor Piazzolla and indirectly to
Dizzy Gillespie. Joined by a sextet that includes the talented cellist
Eric Friedlander, pianist
Bill Charlap and
Phil Markowitz on synthesizer,
Woods alternates between playing alto on Brazilian-flavored material and utilizing his clarinet for
Piazzolla's music. The emphasis is generally on lyrical and heartfelt ballad statements with occasional heated passages;
Dizzy's "Con Alma" is the only jazz standard on the set. This attractive music favorably shows off
Woods' versatility.