Warren Wolf, a tremendously talented young vibes player, is in town to play a concert with the University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble, on Saturday night, and to lead a masterclass, on Saturday afternoon.
This is great news. I was lucky enough to hear Wolf and the jazz ensemble rehearse last night, and I can tell you that it's going to be a terrific concert.
Warren Wolf, rehearsing with members of the University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble, 26 April 2012. [Photos copyright John Edwin Mason, 2012. Click on the images to see larger versions.]
Wolf released his first album last year. (You can hear a track in the video below.) He says that he's "trying to bring forth what most cats did back in the day, coming out right at you swinging, nice and hard, not a lot of hard melodies or weird time signatures. I like to play really hard, fast and kind of flashy. I like to take it to a whole other level."
Also on the album are bassist Christian McBride (who co-produced the recording), pianist Peter Martin, drummer Greg Hutchinson, alto and soprano saxophonist Tim Green, and, on two tracks, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt.
Warren Wolf, "One for Lenny." From the album Warren Wolf.
It doesn't surprise me that the university's music department has a lot of good things to say about Wolf. In the jazz world, he's making a name for himself.
Warren Wolf is a multi-instrumentalist from Baltimore, Maryland, who has recorded two albums under his own name and performs internationally with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Christian MacBride, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Esperanza Spaulding. His cutting-edge work as a leader has included some of the most forward looking up-and-comers in the genre including Darren Barrett on the trumpet and saxophonist Walter Smith. [His] a luminous talent... combines mastery of vibraphone/marimba, drums, and piano with a unique compositional style.
Warren Wolf talking shop with University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble drummer Kendrick Smith, 26 April 2012.
Tomorrow night's concert will be the first time the Jazz Ensemble has hosted a vibraphonist. Wolf will be featured on compositions by John Coltrane, Thad Jones, Pat Metheny and Kenny Dorham, among others. The evening will also include two compositions by the jazz ensemble's director, John D'earth.
But wait, there's more. Three student vocalists will perform in a variety of styles. Gracie Terzian will sing her original lyrics to the Wayne Shorter classic, "Iris," from Miles Davis' groundbreaking album, ESP. Adrianna Foster will revive the Billie Holliday classic "Fine and Mellow." And Emily Voreas will appear with the band for the third time singing a new D'earth composition entitled "We Shall See. "
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Warren Wolf and the University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble, 8:00 pm, Saturday, 28 April 2012, Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. More information, here.
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