Review of CD - Square Peg Round Hole

By Laurie Quoyeser

“Square Peg Round Hole” the latest release by Houston’s own Woody Witt is smart jazz at its finest. Witt’s music isn’t content being in the background, as most Jazz is. With layers of robust improvisation, complicated riffs and superior saxophone playing, the listener will be forced to pay attention. The music on this CD is to jazz what chess is to checkers, what trigonometry is to addition, and what French wine is to Mad Dog 20/20.

This instrumental release resounds of Witt’s skill as song writer and musician. He plays the horn so well it makes one keenly aware that playing saxophone is in Witt’s soul.

“What characterizes the music on this CD is interaction. It’s like a conversation. You hear musician communicating back and forth, like people talk. That is one of the essential elements of jazz,” Witt explained.

The title is representative of a feeling Witt has had his whole life. However, the “I don’t quite fit syndrome” faired well when it came time to putting together fellow artists for this creation. “There is a very small jazz community in Houston. But there are great musicians here. All of the musicians on this CD are in New York and I live in Texas, yet we all came together to fit. So the square peg fit into the round hole,” Witt said.

Although the sound of the songs mimic musical math with its sophistication, two of the songs were co written with Witt’s 6 year old daughter. Not to be out done by her father, Caroline went to their piano and said, “Daddy, I want to write a song.” She wrote the first five notes to “Childlike” and “Taking Her Sweet Time”. “I made a big deal about this when I do a concert. She is a ham. Caroline recognizes her songs!” Will added.

Randy Becker, Grammy winner, plays trumpet on Square Peg and says “Woody Witt continues the tradition of great “Texas Tenors” with a big fat sound, fresh ideas and a decidedly modern and original approach to improvisation and composition. A perfect combination of building on the past and searching for the future.”

Friday October 14 Witt will play live on KUHF radio station at 88.7 FM. This is a station dedicated to classical music. But even Mozart and Bach will make room for Witt to dazzle listeners with his musical skill and improvisation tapestry. He is the first musician to play a form of music other than classical music on KUHF in the history of the station. This musical expansion is scheduled for about 3:15.

Witt will host a CD release party at Cezanne on October 15. He and his band will play two sets. One will be at 9:00 and the other at 11:00. Tickets will be 15 dollars at the door.

November 4 Witt will play with the Houston Symphony and Tony Bennett.

Square Peg is available at All Records, an independently owned and operated record store in Houston and at www.woodywitt.com. Additionally, there is concert dates, band information and photos at his web site.