Jazz Saxophone
Born in Southampton, Tony Woods grew up in Chilworth Old Village and began playing folk music with his father at the age of five. A graduate of Keele University, Leeds College of Music and The Guildhall School of Music Tony received awards for saxophone, outstanding performance and the soloist’s prize at the Dunkirk International Jazz Festival.
In the mid 90’s, Tony Woods Project was formed. It has recorded four highly acclaimed albums of original, folk inspired compositions: High Seas (1997), Lowlands (2004), Wind Shadows (2009) and Hidden Fires (2017). The band has attracted airplay on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, UK Jazz Radio, has toured the UK extensively and performed at festivals across the country including Manchester, London, Swanage, Ealing, Ascot and Teignmouth.
To explore the possibilities of improvising on English classical music Tony formed the Avalon Trio with Pete Churchill and the debut album “Forlana” was released in 2011 to great critical acclaim resulting in interviews on BBC Radio 3 and Jazz FM. Tony has also performed at the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room, Pizza Express Jazz Club and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
He has worked as a session musician in many of London’s studios including Lansdown Studios, Angel Studio, Abbey Road and Maidavale Studios. He has frequently performed with Michael Garrick, both live and on disc, in large and small ensembles, often with his wife; singer Nette Robinson.
In 2010 Nette’s Little Big Band released its debut CD “The Little Big Band Plays” and in 2012 Michael Garrick’s Lyric Ensemble, which features Nette and Tony, released “Home Thoughts”- Michael Garrick’s final album.
2012 also saw the release of “Seventh Daze,” the debut album from Kwartet-Tony’s collaboration with long time musical associate Tim Whitehead.
2017 saw the release of the latest Tony Woods Project album “Hidden Fires” which has resulted in several four star reviews and an interview on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Now programme.
In 2019 the Tony Woods Project toured with funding from Arts Council England.
The TWP concert in Poole was recorded by the BBC for the Jazz Now Programme and was broadcast on 22nd July 2019.
