Jimmy Woods

Information regarding Jimmy Woods remains quite limited despite his reputation as an innovative alto saxophonist who cut a pair of standout recordings on the Contemporary label spanning 1961 to 1963 before largely vanishing from the jazz landscape. As an ardent improviser, he first entered the professional arena by enlisting in Homer Carter's R&B ensemble back in 1951. Following military service with the Air Force from 1952 through 1956, he performed alongside various R&B outfits such as the one led by Roy Milton. His associations during the early 1960s included a stint alongside Horace Tapscott in 1960, a recording session with Joe Gordon in 1961, and time spent in the orchestras of Gerald Wilson and Chico Hamilton. Nevertheless, music provided Woods with scant financial support, resulting in minimal public appearances after the middle of the 1960s.