Peter Friedman

Op.54/2 and Op.54/3

This one features outstanding playing from Pete Christlieb and Bob Cooper. Mike Wofford is also in top form. I consider this one of the very best two tenor sessions out there.

Dvorak - String Quaret No.12, Op.96 "American" Borodin - String Quartet No.2 Royal Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble

Many musicians have "devices", hot or otherwise, that they use in their solos. Sometimes they are pet phrases that the listener can find in a number of solos by that musician. Those familiar devices are what often makes it rather easy for the seasoned listener to identify the specific player. Currently listening to this one with Clark Terry, Willie Cook, Britt Woodman, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Billy Taylor, Earl May, and Ed Thigpen

I have long been reading criticisms of Phil Woods playing in the last 3 or 4 decades of his life I have a very different point of view. While Woods playing changed a bit over the years as is the case for many musicians, Phil remained one of my favorite alto players up until his death. Woods knew how to swing, how to craft an interesting solo, and had deep jazz roots that permeated his playing. It now seems as if Pete Christlieb has become persona non gratis as a jazz player to some here. I consider Christlieb to be one of my very favorite living tenor players. I recall reading an interview with Warne Marsh in CODA Magazine where he called Christlieb one of the players saying more on tenor than anyone else. I stand with Warne.

Beethoven - Violin Sonata Op.12, No.1 Czerny - String Quartet in E Minor