Woody Aplanalp entered the L. A. music scene in 1994 at Nels Clines New Music Monday at The Alligator Lounge in Santa Monica . 

He has toured and recorded with artists such as Wadada Leo Smith , Thomas Mapfumo , Nels Cline , Lauryn Hill , Christian McBride , Trilok Gurtu , Bobby Womack , Old Californio , and Aloe Blacc .