Josef Woodard

Josef Woodard is a veteran journalist-critic-author (writing for the Los Angeles Times for 25 years), is an ongoing contributor to DownBeat magazine, and has written for many other music publications, including Rolling StoneThe Strad, and Chamber Music, as well as the Santa Barbara Independent in his hometown. In addition to penning numerous album liner notes, he won an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for jazz writing and has published two jazz books, on Charles Lloyd and on Charlie Haden, for Silman-James Press, and published his debut novel, Ladies Who Lunch, in 2020. As an active musician/guitarist/composer, he has released many albums on the Household Ink Records label. Among other things, he is also fond of jazz festival-ing and diner grub.

Articles By This Author

Josef Woodard - March 11, 2024

In a recital that blends text and music — and an amusing array of instruments — Lee is magnetic.

Josef Woodard - February 25, 2024

The pianist takes Schubert’s song as a starting point for a wide-ranging and poetic look at dream states.

Josef Woodard - February 20, 2024

The recently appointed Berlin Philharmonic principal delivers as advertised in a recital for Camerata Pacifica.

Josef Woodard - October 31, 2023

Sets by Ennis Harris and Mat Maneri at the Angel City Jazz Festival have plentiful cross-genre connections.

Josef Woodard - October 10, 2023

The maverick saxophonist and composer busts open the recital format and makes it exciting with his multidirectional improvisations.

Josef Woodard - July 11, 2023

Composer Jessie Montgomery’s yearning, pandemic-influenced work occupies a vast orchestral canvas.

Josef Woodard - June 20, 2023

The mezzo-soprano is affecting in everything from Argentine art song to Broadway.

Josef Woodard - June 13, 2023

As directed by Rhiannon Giddens, the festival explores improvisation and cross-cultural connections at the expense of European modernism.

Josef Woodard - April 17, 2023

The group’s ambitious Doppelgänger project pairs the composer’s late chamber works with challenging new commissions.

Josef Woodard - March 28, 2023

The premiere of Esmail’s work about water and the environment makes a powerful impression alongside Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.