Biography
Woody Herman Shaw Jr. (December 24, 1944 – May 10, 1989) was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, arranger, band leader, and educator, widely recognized as one of the most innovative and influential trumpeters of the 20th century. Born in Laurinburg, North Carolina, Shaw moved with his family to Newark, New Jersey at the age of one. His father was a gospel singer, and Shaw grew up in a musically rich environment, developing perfect pitch and a photographic memory. He began playing the bugle at age nine and switched to trumpet at eleven, studying classical technique and music theory throughout his youth[1][3][5].
Shaw's career accelerated in the early 1960s when he became active in the Newark jazz scene and was mentored by leading musicians. He was invited by saxophonist Eric Dolphy to join him in Paris, where Shaw played with jazz luminaries such as Bud Powell, Kenny Clarke, and Johnny Griffin. Returning to the United States, he joined Horace Silver's quintet and recorded on landmark albums like 'Cape Verdean Blues.' Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, Shaw collaborated with a who's who of jazz, including McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Jackie McLean, Herbie Hancock, and Art Blakey, while also leading his own groups and recording as a bandleader[2][4][5].
Shaw's playing was marked by technical brilliance, harmonic sophistication, and a willingness to push the boundaries of jazz trumpet. He drew inspiration from both earlier trumpet greats and the harmonic innovations of John Coltrane, developing a unique style that influenced generations of musicians. Despite his untimely death at age 44, Shaw's legacy endures through his recordings, compositions, and the many artists he inspired and mentored[3][5].
Fun Facts
- Woody Shaw was born with a photographic memory and perfect pitch, traits that contributed to his remarkable musicianship[1].
- His father, Woody Shaw Sr., was a gospel singer who attended Laurinburg Institute with Dizzy Gillespie, connecting Shaw to jazz history from birth[1][5].
- Shaw's composition 'The Moontrane' is considered a modern jazz standard and showcases his innovative harmonic approach[4].
- He was a central figure in the Paris Reunion Band in the mid-1980s, reflecting his strong ties to the European jazz scene[2].
Associated Acts
- Woody Shaw Quintet - eponymous, flugelhorn, original (1977–1989-05-10)
- Woody Shaw Quintet - eponymous, original, trumpet (1977–1989-05-10)
- Mark Levine Nonet - trumpet
- Woody Shaw Quartet - flugelhorn
- Woody Shaw Quartet - trumpet
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Eric Dolphy - Dolphy invited Shaw to join his band, mentored him in freer jazz approaches, and facilitated his first European experiences. (Dolphy's 'Iron Man' (Shaw's recording debut)) [1963-1964]
- Jerome Ziering - Classical trumpet teacher during Shaw's early years in Newark. (Private lessons, foundational training) [1950s]
- Horace Silver - Band leader who hired Shaw for his quintet, providing major professional exposure. (Albums 'Cape Verdean Blues' (1965), 'The Jody Grind' (1966)) [1965-1968]
Key Collaborators
- Larry Young - Organist and close musical associate, performed and recorded together in Paris and on Young's 'Unity.' ('Unity' (1965), European tours) [1964-1965]
- McCoy Tyner - Frequent collaborator in the late 1960s and 1970s, both live and on recordings. (Albums and performances with Tyner's groups) [late 1960s-1970s]
- Art Blakey - Member of Blakey's Jazz Messengers, contributing to the band's evolving sound. (Performances and recordings with the Jazz Messengers) [early-mid 1970s]
- Herbie Hancock - Worked together in the early 1970s, contributing to Hancock's bands and recordings. (Performances and recordings) [early 1970s]
- Willie Bobo - Early professional work in Latin jazz settings. (Performances) [early 1960s]
Artists Influenced
- Wynton Marsalis - Marsalis has cited Shaw as a major influence on his approach to trumpet and jazz improvisation. (Marsalis's early recordings and trumpet style) [1980s-present]
- Terence Blanchard - Blanchard has acknowledged Shaw's harmonic innovations and technical mastery as inspirations. (Blanchard's compositions and trumpet work) [1980s-present]
- Brian Lynch - Lynch has spoken about Shaw's impact on his own playing and compositional approach. (Lynch's recordings and performances) [1990s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Solid | 1987-03-01 | Album |
| Stepping Stones: Live At The Village Vanguard | 1978 | Album |
| Round Amen Corner (2012 Bonus Tracks Edition) | 2012 | Album |
| Imagination | 1987-06-24 | Album |
| Woody III | 1979-04-01 | Album |
| Time Is Right | 1993 | Album |
| Rosewood | 1978-03-01 | Album |
| United | 1981 | Album |
| Lotus Flower | 1990-10-10 | Album |
| Double Take | 1985-01-01 | Album |
| Rosewood | 1978 | Album |
| Blackstone Legacy | 1971-01-01 | Album |
| 49th Parallel | 2020-09-11 | Album |
| The Eternal Triangle | 1987-01-01 | Album |
| In My Own Sweet Way | 2010-08-17 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Theme for Maxine - Live (Stepping Stones: Live At The Village Vanguard)
- Stormy Weather (Imagination)
- There Will Never Be Another You (Solid)
- Organ Grinder (Woody III)
- From Moment To Moment (Time Is Right)
- The Woody Woodpecker Song (Solid)
- Rahsan's Run (Lotus Flower)
- Katerina Ballerina (United)
- Sandu (Double Take)
- Theme for Maxine (Rosewood)
External Links
Tags: #avant-garde-jazz, #hard-bop, #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
woody shaw has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 6, 2026 | 16:22 | rahsaan's runfrom rosewood | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson | |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 17:34 | sunshowersfrom rosewood | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Oct 29, 2025 | 16:33 | sunshowersfrom rosewood | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón |