Woody Mann has spent years combining early influences such as the music of Woodie Guthrie, Big Bill Broonzy or Brownie McGhee with the musical tradition of his friend and mentor Reverend Gary Davis, developing an exceptionally colorful and nuanced style of his own. While studying with pianist Lenny Tristano, Mann discovered jazz, which was to become the second major stylistic element of his repertoire.
The virtuoso guitarist draws on this veritable canon of genres, styles and traditions on his latest instrumental work "Road Trips", in which the borders between solo and accompaniment, between composition and improvisation flow into one another. Whether on fingerstyle numbers, free-spirited jazzy adaptations or melodic instrumentals, Mann constantly demonstrates his effortless command of the instrument and his ability to imbue his compositions with space and intensity. Seemingly casual interludes between the themes lend the whole thing lyrical cohesion and ensure that this "Road Trip" developes into an exciting voyage of discovery.
Additional product information
recorded:
2005
time:
58:06
Musicians:
Woody Mann: guitar
Danny Mallon: percussion
Brian Glassman: bass
Charlie Krachy: saxophone
Dave Keys: piano
Jeffrey Meyer: drums
Larry Wexer: mandolin