80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005

4 1/2 STARS He was one of the pioneers of bebop. He began his career just after the war in Dizzy Gillespie's band, which also included Thelonious Monk and Milt Jackson. What a debut!

Jazz historian Kevin Whitehead asserts that he was a true stage animal—a musician who revealed his full artistic potential only in live performance. This newly released album confirms just that... Early in his career, Moody did not read sheet music; he played by ear, a fact that had a significant influence on the development of his own unique style. Just listen to the composition "Dizzy's Bebop," where Moody takes no prisoners in a saxophone solo reminiscent of Coltrane. His imagination and boundless energy were legendary. This is a recording that transcends age barriers and truly strikes a deep chord with listeners.