Hi everybody,
The monthly Way Out West gigs continue at Drayton Court, West Ealing: in June I’ll be there again with my own band – the Tony Woods Project. Last time we were there we had an amazing time – see here.
Please note change of day/date due to World Cup clash: The Tony Woods Project will now be playing on Thursday 25th June at Drayton Court.
The Project is my main creative outlet – we play my tunes, and have released four albums so far. We play our own brand of melodic, folk inspired jazz and have received lots of lovely reviews for our four albums High Seas, Lowlands, Wind Shadows and Hidden Fires:
“Emotional and warmly personal music” ★★★★ (the Guardian)
“Combines a jazz edge with the melodic zest of folk…delightful.” (BBC Radio 3)
“Colourful, evocative music from one of the most distinctive groups on the UK Jazz scene.”(The JazzMann)
“Definitely jazz for the 21st century” (Jazz Journal)
On this gig the Project will be playing some old favourites as well as some new music from our forthcoming 5th album: “Into the Ether.”
If you enjoy my music please do like and subscribe to my Youtube Channel. It is absolutely free to subscribe – just click on the Subscribe Button…
“very cool”
“Great music”
” Great solo a lesson in how to start sparce and build intensity”
“The word ravishing comes to mind!”
“So soft and gentle one wants to dream…. Such a pleasure to listen to Tony”
“Music full of warmth and joy”
“Soo cool”
“A wonderful and uplifting gig”
“Beautiful”
“Just been sent into another world again – Beautiful world….”
“Brilliant musicians and brilliant music!”
“Oh my goodness, another wonderful ‘ Project’, so exciting the build up, then the gentle ending, the flame gone out! Fantastic”
“I was lucky enough to be at this gig and see Tony and the band… wow amazing performance from all. Truly magical !!!”
“Yet another excellent gig. Great music and musicians”
“Absolutely brilliant!”
“Tone! Killer performance.”
“Wow!! Just fabulous…”
“Superb”
“What an amazing solo”
“Fantastic sound!”
“Awesome”
“What a way to start the day – had me dancing round my third storey”
“Story telling and space is the way to go . Lovely stuff “
“Can’t stop listening, spellbinding”
Upcoming gigs:
June:
Thursday 25th: Tony Woods Project @ Drayton Court Hotel
Other News:
Way Out West gigs continue at Jazz Cafe Posk (the Polish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith):
The Way Out West gigs continue in 2026 at Drayton Court Hotel, West Ealing, usually the third Wednesday in the month:
Thursday 25th June: Tony Woods Project
Wednesday 22nd July: Larry Bartley
Nette and I, together with pianist Meredith White and bassist Mark Rose, will be teaching on the Isle of Man Jazz Weekend 28th-30th August .
The Woods ShedI run a Jazz Workshop and Jam session at the Village Centre, Englefield Green on Monday nights. New members always welcome…
More info here.
Chippings From The Woods Shed:
Music is all about listening. When we improvise and create it’s really important to LISTEN to yourself – hear what you are creating in the context of the overall sound. How does the whole band sound? How does your contribution “fit” with what’s going on around you? Imagine yourself as the listener- the audience- how is this whole thing sounding?
This is where leaving space comes in as it allows us to stand back and reflect. This is true for both rhythm section players accompanying a soloist as well as the soloist. When we really listen to ourselves then the next musical phrase reveals itself, our improvised ideas lead on to more improvised ideas. Licks have their place in learning the music of course, but licks are not the whole story. Telling your own story is.
