Jazz Articles about Michael Wolff

About Michael Wolff

Radio & Podcasts

James Danderfer, Michael Wolff, Fieldwork & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
November 27, 2025

Part two of our September jazz roundup continues in 117th episode--now venturing beyond Europe. Most of the highlights come from North America (the US and Canada are on fire), plus a few excellent releases from Australia, Japan, and Cuba (with a slight geographic stretch or two). Only two genuine debut albums in this episode, but one absolutely mind-blowing comeback from someone who's been off the radar for years. Plus a handful of records that, a dozen or so years ago, ...

Radio & Podcasts

Duos, Trios, And Other Things

by Bob Osborne
August 22, 2024

The majority of the music on the show is new, with a good proportion of it provided by duos, duo lead ensembles and trios. Also, to celebrate the 700th edition of the World of Jazz show we close with a classic recording of my all-time favourite jazz artist Miles Davis, playing live with his second great quintet. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Michael Wolff “Left Out" from Memoir (Sunnyside Records) 00:28 Miguel Zenón “Sacred Land" from Golden City (Miel ...

Album Review

Michael Wolff: Live at Vitellos

Read "Live at Vitellos" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
March 1, 2021

As time stretches the fabric of reality, what with venues closed or operating under incredibly restrictive mandates since March of 2020, it's starting to feel like it's been a decade since we've been able to gather in the quiets of a club to take in a rapturous set of music. So it's only fitting that this ten-year-old gem should drop into the world at this juncture, giving pause to bemoan what's been lost and appreciate a music found.

Album Review

Tony Adamo: Was Out Jazz Zone Mad

Read "Was Out Jazz Zone Mad" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
January 27, 2019

The translation of “Adam" from Hebrew--from which the surname Adamo springs--means from the “ground" or “soil." It also derives from the Hebrew word for red, a la “red clay." Perhaps that is why any work from Tony Adamo is rare earth--gritty, and flaming crimson. Was Out Jazz Zone Mad Adamo's latest, his first for Ropeadope, is all of those things and more.Adamo is the Heavyweight Champion of “hipspokenword," wherein lingo meets vocalizing at the corner of jazz and ...

Album Review

Tony Adamo: Was Out Jazz Zone Mad

Read "Was Out Jazz Zone Mad" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
January 15, 2019

Some African cultures preserved their history not by the written but by the spoken word, kept by oral cultural historians known as griots. On Was Out Jazz Zone Mad, vocalist Tony Adamo aspires to serve in this same role, as a verbal historian of both official and unofficial African-American jazz and blues culture. This type of jazz jive might wear quickly thin but Adamo writes about jazz and jazz musicians with such detailed intimacy and vision that his words snap, ...

Album Review

Michael Wolff: Swirl

Read "Swirl" reviewed by Peter J. Hoetjes

by Peter J. Hoetjes
January 1, 2019

"This new album is the culmination of my transformation after being to the brink and back," states Michael Wolff. At one point during 2015, Wolff, then deep into his four-year battle with a rare form of cancer, fell comatose. His prognosis left little hope yet, with a stubborn willpower, the pianist fought off the disease. After months of physical and mental rehabilitation, he was ready to approach music again with a new trio. This trio would ...

Live Review

Michael Wolff: Half Moon Bay, CA, September 23, 2012

by Bill Leikam
October 20, 2012

Michael WolffTribute to Cal TjaderDouglas Beach HouseHalf Moon Bay, CASeptember 23, 2012Early in the week prior to this performance, the Douglas Beach House was already nearly sold out and yet, when the doors opened that Sunday afternoon, people still clamored to get in to hear some of vibraphonist Cal Tjader's original band members--one of whom was Michael Wolff, musical director for the show and a unique pianist.Wolff said, “I met Cal ...