VDT VIEW

By Dean Poling
VDT View

Brian Woodruff is that rare combination, a term one does not hear often: a drummer/composer. The title of this expressive album comes from a chess match several years ago. Woodruff was playing a friend. Woodruff was winning until the endgame. Then the friend beat him. This happened a few times, causing the friend to finally say to Woodruff, “You did everything you needed to do, and then you tarried.” Thus, “The Tarrier.” That said, as a composer and drummer, Woodruff is right on time with his delivery in this excellent, jazzy album. “The Tarrier” also features Lisa Parrott on sax; Jacob Varmus, trumpet and cornet; Alan Ferber, trombone; Nate Radley, guitar; Matt Clohesy, bass.