Motor City People At Work

Lyman Woodard, one of Detroit's most highly respected keyboard artists, says he's been playing "since the first time Chuck Berry was big."

Woodard was born in 1942 in Owosso, Michigan, 20 miles west of Flint. The R&B he heard over the radio so affected him that, by the time he was in high school, he was known as the kid who could play all of Little Richard's piano solos note for note - including the mistakes!

Woodard finished his high school seasoning in Berry's home town, Saint Louis. "I really started out in rock 'n roll," he points out, "but after a while I went to Toronto to attend the School of Contemporary Music operated by Oscar Peterson. That's how I learned to appreciate jazz."

Woodard moved to the Motor City in 1964 and landed a steady gig backing guitarist Don Davis at the Frolic Lounge on John Lodge. When Davis laid down his guitar to become a producer at Golden World and then Stax Records - where artists like Johnny Taylor, Mavis Staples and the Dramatics made big hits under his supervision - the organist co-led the group with Dennis ("Scorpio") Coffey.

At the same time Lyman became deeply involved with the Detroit Artists' Workshop, where he found plenty of opportunity for musical experimentation and development of ideas. He started composing seriously, and at the same time his reputation as a solid musician and arranger in the Soul Capitol was flourishing. "He went on the road with Motown's Undisputed Truth, was Musical Director for Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. and performed and recorded with the hit H-D-H group 8th Day.

Woodard and guitarist Ron English formed the Lyman Woodard Organization for a gig at the Hobby Bar in 1973. The band became a large local attraction through long stands at J.J.'s Lounge and the Pretzel Bowl Saloon and a very well-received album on the Strata label, Saturday Night Special.

"I try to take about six months out of the year to compose and reflect on the things I've been playing in the clubs," he says. "This allows me time to experiment and develop new concepts."

"When I'm not involved with something with my family, I like to compose," he says, proudly admitting: "The biggest thing that's happened to me is the birth of my son-he's eight months old."

Woodard has lived on Detroit's west side for the last twelve years. "The music of this city has become legendary throughout this country," he says matter-of-factly. "The funny thing about Detroit, we've never been recognized as an entertainment center in the same sense that New York or San Francisco is. But some of the best music in the world is played in the basement of someone's home, or in the network of clubs that have that sort of homey atmosphere."

Piqueing our interest, Woodard casually remarked that "reggae music may offer something new to listeners-I'm excited about it and really enjoy listening to it. Its popularity is growing in this country, but I can't say where it will all lead."

Knowing Lyman, it will probably be integrated into a few new Woodard compositions in the next few months. In the meantime, catch him backing up Chuck Jackson at Watts Club Mozambique (till Oct. 24) and look tor him to be around for a long, long time.

- Ken Dossar