MAR 17-20 | Piano Week
Mar 19, 2022
Joe Henderson Lab
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This page is an archive of a past production
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Original show description below.
“One of the most engaging all-around performers in the jazz game” (Oakland Tribune), veteran pianist Michael Wolff returns with his trio and music from his 2019 Sunnyside album Bounce.
A California native, Wolff honed his early musical development through the renowned jazz program at Berkeley High School and began his professional career with Bay Area Latin jazz icon Cal Tjader’s ensemble. Wolff went on to memorable work with Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Tom Harrell, and as musical director to Nancy Wilson. He served for five years as bandleader and musical director on The Arsenio Hall Show, and formed a band with legendary Herbie Hancock Head Hunters drummer Mike Clark called Impure Thoughts that would eventually evolve into the aptly named Wolff & Clark Expedition.
In 2015, Wolff was diagnosed with a rare and virulent form of cancer that spread throughout his body and left him in a coma, but treatment with an experimental medication was a miracle cure, leaving him cancer-free, but with a new perspective on life and music.
His joyous 2020 Sunnyside album, Bounce, was created in celebration of his triumph over his disease, and features a blend of sinuous originals and meaningful covers along with the able assistance of bassist Ben Allison and drummer Allan Mednard.
Wolff's joyous 2020 Sunnyside album, Bounce, features a blend of sinuous originals and meaningful covers along with the able assistance of bassist Ben Allison and drummer Allan Mednard.
Wolff’s résumé stretches back more than four decades, as accompanist, collaborator and leader in dizzyingly diverse situations.
JazzTimes
Wolff’s résumé stretches back more than four decades, as accompanist, collaborator and leader in dizzyingly diverse situations.
JazzTimes
Listen
Michael Wolff
Bounce
Michael Wolff
Caribbean Rain Dance
Michael Wolff
Bounce
Michael Wolff
Caribbean Rain Dance
MAR 17-20 | Piano Week
MAR 17
MAR 18
Modern Virtuoso
Helen Sung Quartet+MAR 20
Visionary Pianist
Aaron Parks, Solo