Biography
Although Woodyard performed alongside numerous distinguished bandleaders throughout his professional life, his closest ties were to Duke Ellington. The point is made vividly by the Ellington Orchestra’s landmark 1956 reading of “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue” on the album Ellington at Newport, which demonstrates how essential Woodyard became to the composer’s later output. He avoided flashy technique, yet few drummers generated a stronger swing; in the entire history of the Ellington ensemble, none propelled the group more forcefully than he did.
His musical education was almost entirely self-directed. During the 1940s he worked with local ensembles in Newark and its vicinity. Around 1950 he appeared in Paul Gayten’s R&B unit. In the first half of the 1950s, before entering Ellington’s orbit, he accompanied tenor saxophonist Joe Holiday, trumpeter Roy Eldridge, and pianist Milt Buckner. He joined Ellington in 1955 and remained, aside from occasional breaks, until 1966. After leaving, he became a member of Ella Fitzgerald’s orchestra and relocated to Los Angeles. Declining health curtailed his activities during the 1970s, although he still performed occasionally, most memorably playing congas with the Buddy Rich Big Band on the albums Roar of ’74 and Ease on Down the Road. In the late 1970s he toured with pianist Claude Bolling. In 1983 he participated in a recording session with pianist Teddy Wilson, tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate, and bassist Slam Stewart. While residing in Paris in July 1988, he contributed to Steve Lacy’s album The Door and died a little more than a month afterward.
His musical education was almost entirely self-directed. During the 1940s he worked with local ensembles in Newark and its vicinity. Around 1950 he appeared in Paul Gayten’s R&B unit. In the first half of the 1950s, before entering Ellington’s orbit, he accompanied tenor saxophonist Joe Holiday, trumpeter Roy Eldridge, and pianist Milt Buckner. He joined Ellington in 1955 and remained, aside from occasional breaks, until 1966. After leaving, he became a member of Ella Fitzgerald’s orchestra and relocated to Los Angeles. Declining health curtailed his activities during the 1970s, although he still performed occasionally, most memorably playing congas with the Buddy Rich Big Band on the albums Roar of ’74 and Ease on Down the Road. In the late 1970s he toured with pianist Claude Bolling. In 1983 he participated in a recording session with pianist Teddy Wilson, tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate, and bassist Slam Stewart. While residing in Paris in July 1988, he contributed to Steve Lacy’s album The Door and died a little more than a month afterward.