Andy Woodson is one of the most in-demand bassists in the central Ohio area, and has been a vital part of the Columbus music scene for over 15 years. Andy has performed and recorded (on electric and acoustic bass)with many local and nationally known musicians, including pianist DD Jackson, David Murry, Billy Hart, Jack Wilkins, Kim Pensyl, Michael Cox, Hank Marr, Bobby Floyd, Mark Flugge, Christian Howes, Vince Andrews, Jim Snidero, Pete Mills, Tim Cummiskey, and Paul Brown, to name but a few. As well as his work as a sideman, Andy also gigs and records his own music. In 1997 he released his first CD, "Scioto," which features Andy's original jazz and jazz rock compositions, with heavy emphasis on his work with 6 string fretless bass. Andy's most recent CD release is "Catalpa," an eclectic collection of original material, this time focusing on acoustic instruments in various combinations. Soprano sax, flugelhorn, percussion, acousic guitar, acoustic piano and upright bass are some of the main instruments used throughout this recording. At times the textures of the songs are sparse ("Dominica," and Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" were recorded with saxophone, bass and drums only), at other times thick with horn and string harmonies. "October" and "Cary" are both quartet pieces which feature the beautiful piano playing of Mark Flugge, and the deeply melodic saxophone of Michael Cox. "Walk" (loosely based on Wayne Shorter's composition "Footprints") and "Happy People" (based on the chord changes to the old standard, "Angel Eyes") are both high-energy vehicles for some over-the top blowing by Andy on 5 string fretless bass, as well as Paul Brown on Guitar and Bobby Floyd on Keyboards. Reviews: Proggnosis- MJBrady Published on: 21 May 2006 "This is actually a 2002 release by bassist/composer - Andy Woodson. Andy has been laboring away in somewhat of a jazz obscurity as many musicians do that choose this style of music to fall in love with. Yet his talents on the instrument are that of one with a high pedigree for the deeper understandings of sophisticated jazz ensemble play. Catalpa, is more a jazz cd than a fusion offering, the songs are rich in traditional and organic sounds, mostly acoustical, with an abundance of technical elegance. Woodson becomes one with the array of musicians he surrounds himself with, as this cd doesn't come across as a bassist fronted cd at all. I hear many echoes from the greats in his music, and each musician he employs shows the same high standard of musicianship that he himself brings to the studio. When considering this cd as a whole, the word 'Tasteful' comes to mind, as the arrangements and overall mood of this cd show a list of truely talented individuals in an environment that allows their more intuitive passions for jazz flourish. While I am not hearing the more modern, electric fusion affairs heard on Andy's more recent - Scioto release, I am hearing the sincerity and unpretentious composing that was imbedded on that cd. This cd explores jazz at it's every border, from traditional, to modern, ambient, latin, improv, etc. Each song showing a different listing for personnel, and offering each player to show their respective abilities within those tracks." The Columbus Dispatch- "Perhaps the majority of jazz bass players spend their careers as hired guns, more often known as part of a rhythm section than as auteurs. Some, such as Woodson, are the key musical focus of their own and others' groups. The Columbus musician, whose style is both modern and rooted in tradition, has proved his value with two terrific self-produced albums. The new Catalpa not only utilizes the considerable talents of saxophonist Michael Cox, guitarist Paul Brown, fiddler Christian Howes, drummer Tony McClung, pianist Erik Augis and other Columbus luminaries, but molds the combination into something fresh and personal." Lee Brown, The Other Paper 7/4/02 "...by the time the sun dropped into the trees Friday, the Jazz Tent was finally dropping into its own groove with Andy Woodson's band, with guest Dan Kelly in from New York... The band burned through tunes from Woodson's flashy new CD, Catalpa. The closer- a takeoff on Footprints called Walk, featuring Kelly slapping the keyboard with the flats of his hands-was just short of berserk. The roar from the crowd didn'tspell boredom."