Michael Wolff returns to his jazz piano roots with the July 3rd release of jazz, JAZZ, jazz, on Wrong Records. Genuine enthusiasm greeted the standards CD when journalists were provided with sneak peek copies. Upcoming coverage will include placements in JazzTimes and Down Beat--in the mean time, here are a few reactions to the 'preview' listens: Respected critic Howard Mandel praised:“Michael Wolff's music just gets better and better--his straight-ahead piano trio album, following his crooner-at-the-keyboard success Love and Destruction, interprets choice standards by Miles, Dizzy, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, et al. with elegance, energy and nuance that establishes him in the first rank of urbane jazz pianists. The secrets he discovers in these familiar selections makes them, and us, feel a little more sophisticated. And what simpatico support from John B. Williams and Victor Jones!"
Laurence Donohue-Greene, Managing Editor of AllAboutJazz-New York, raved: “Without a doubt one of the strongest piano trio CDs I've heard all year... A stimulating listen from beginning to end that warrants further listens." AAJ-NY will run its official review this summer.
After previewing Wolff's upcoming CD, jazz critic Bob Karlovits of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review commented: “Once again, Michael kicks ass." (Karlovits' actual review is slated to run closer to release date...)"
Wolff will perform at the Knickerbocker in New York on August 24th & 25th, with Rich Goods on Bass and Victor Jones on drums. A Trio tour is also being planned for November and December. Dates and cities will be announced soon.
jazz, JAZZ, jazz, will be released digitally via iTunes and other downloadable formats. A limited run of CDs will be available for purchase at live shows and via his website. Wolff's recently-revamped website, by Scott Design, just won a Silver ADDY Award in the 'Consumer Website' category of the Silicon Valley ADDY Awards competition. In other awards news, at ceremonies in Los Angeles on May 16th, Michael Wolff, along with sons Nat and Alex, each received the BMI Film and TV Award for their contributions to the music on The Naked Brothers Band TV Show. For more details about the hit TV program, see below.
In conjunction with a recent trio concert in Pennsylvania, The Reading Eagle featured Wolff on the cover of their entertainment section. Here's an excerpt:
“Wolff seems truly anchored by the music he grew up with, music that has shaped his temperament: jazz, in all its forms...The album's nine numbers would make a good primer for someone looking to learn what jazz is all about.
With his longtime bassist John B. Williams and drummer Victor Jones, the album grew from a desire to perform simple, no-nonsense jazz. Most of the songs were done in just one take. The CD includes Joseph Kosma's “Autumn Leaves," with seams of harmony and rhythm filling its melodic gaps; Rodgers' and Hart's “My Funny Valentine," whose blurs evoke a photographic negative; Arthur Hamilton's “Cry Me a River," where melody stutters then takes off like a cadenza; and Ron Carter's “Einbahnstrasse," a rough and tumble shuffle.
The album sounds like a set in a club: freewheeling, open, bounded only by three musicians' imaginations. As Wolff put it, “I said to the guys, 'Let's just play.'" By John Fidler, Reading Eagle, 5/10/07
About Michael Wolff: With the release of jazz, JAZZ, jazz, Michael Wolff reinforces his love of straight-ahead jazz piano performance. Wolff's rich history of collaboration was cultivated via work with such venerable artists as Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Cal Tjader, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Christian McBride and many others. Recently described by JazzTimes Magazine as “one of the most innovative and dynamic pianists of his generation," Wolff has displayed an unrelenting hunger for forward motion as his art has evolved over the years. His surprising '06 CD 'Love and Destruction,' was not only an amalgam of rock-jazz, but was his first to feature vocals on all songs. In response, The New York Times praised Wolff as “A pianist and vocalist with a style both global and contemporary."
Described as a “Renaissance Man"' by Miami New Times, Wolff continues to experience the ongoing success of his family's Nickelodeon TV show, The Naked Brothers Band. The Naked Brothers Band is a rock and roll musical comedy for children and adults. Part documentary, part mockumentary, it tracks a kids' rock band as it struggles with superstardom. The Naked Brothers Band was written, produced and directed by Wolff's wife Polly Draper, and stars their two sons, Nat and Alex (the young Wolff brothers have written all the music.) Wolff plays Nat and Alex's hapless, accordion-playing father, and also serves as the show's music producer and Co-executive producer.
Press Quotes
“Without a Doubt One of the Strongest Piano Trio CDs I've Heard All Year"
“Elegance, Energy and Nuance That Establishes Him in the First Rank of Urbane Jazz Pianists"
“A Good Primer for Someone Looking to Learn What Jazz is All About"
“The album sounds like a set in a club: freewheeling, open, bounded only by three musicians' imaginations"
For more information contact Seth Cohen PR.
