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Michael Wolff: Impure Thoughts
ByWolff, who grew up in New Orleans, Memphis and Berkeley as a child prodigy, first worked with Cal Tjader at age 19. His career took off with Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band. As musical director for Nancy Wilson and later for the Arsenio Hall television variety show, Wolff practiced his love of straight-ahead jazz with many well-known leaders. Composing and performing for the motion picture industry has now moved the pianist into the limelight; he also has a role in the play Jules’ Blues, and a documentary due out later this year. Wolff’s band, Impure Thoughts, may be the most significant aspect of his career.
The band combines Afro-Cuban, Indian, and familiar rhythms. Drones and percussion sounds lay the framework, while saxophone and piano offer melody. What makes Impure Thoughts different, though, is (1) the intricate, ostinato role of the acoustic bassist and (2) the parallel designs from tablas and congas. Wolff and Alex Foster provide creative jazz improvisation throughout. Recommended, the music offers variety within the genre, while combining widely separate elements in a natural way.
Personnel
Michael Wolff
piano and vocalsAlbum information
Title: Impure Thoughts | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Creative Sources
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