Biography
Baltimore's Warren Wolf stands out as a jazz vibraphonist whose post-bop approach combines sophistication, exploration, and near-acrobatic technique, prompting one reviewer to declare that "he plays the vibraphone like an electric guitar!" Beginning in 2005 he has led his own ensembles on record and on the road. His first album as a leader, Incredible Jazz Vibes, appeared on M&I Jazz and drew international critical notice. Two years later he joined bassist Christian McBride's Inside Straight quintet. In 2011 he entered an agreement with Detroit's Mack Avenue imprint and issued the widely praised self-titled album. Following extensive work as a touring sideman, a sought-after session musician, and a bandleader on club and festival circuits, he delivered Convergence in 2016; the recording featured McBride, who also served as co-producer, along with Jeff "Tain" Watts, John Scofield, and Brad Mehldau.
Wolf was born in Baltimore in 1979 and began musical studies at age three under his father, a teacher and amateur musician, taking up vibraphone, marimba, drums, and piano. During his formative years he concentrated on classical repertoire, attending the Peabody Preparatory School and receiving additional instruction from Leo LePage, a former member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Only in his teenage years, while enrolled at the Baltimore School for the Arts, did Wolf develop a deepening interest in jazz. After completing high school he earned an undergraduate degree in music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied privately with vibraphonist Dave Samuels. During that period he also formed a friendship with trumpeter and classmate Jeremy Pelt, who would later become a collaborator; Pelt in turn introduced him to fellow Berklee musicians Kendrick Scott, Walter Smith III, and trumpeter Jason Palmer. Together Wolf and Palmer co-led a band that performed regularly at the Boston club Wally's throughout most of his time in the city.
Upon receiving his degree in 2001, Wolf remained active as a performer in Boston and took a position teaching percussion at Berklee. He relocated back to Baltimore in 2005 and swiftly established himself as a sought-after bandleader and player. In the role of sideman he has appeared on stage and on recordings with Bobby Watson, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, Christian Scott, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, and additional prominent artists.
Wolf's debut as a solo artist came in 2005 with the independently released Incredible Jazz Vibes. He later joined the Mack Avenue roster and issued his second album, the self-titled Warren Wolf, in 2011. Two years afterward he returned with the quartet project Wolfgang, which included pianist Benny Green, bassist McBride, and further guests. Throughout the ensuing years he continued to work extensively as a session and touring musician, contributing to Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah's Stretch Music and Willie Jones III's Groundwork in 2015. In 2016 he resumed bandleading duties with Convergence, which again showcased McBride, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, pianist Brad Mehldau, and guitarist John Scofield as a special guest. Over the next four years he performed frequently in Europe, appearing on Andrea Motis' Emotional Dance and Sarah McKenzie's Paris in the Rain. Stateside he participated in the SF Jazz Collective's Music of Miles Davis & Original Compositions and T.K. Blue's Amour. He served as featured guest on the Rodney Green Quartet's Live at Jazzhus Montmartre Copenhagen in 2017 and performed with the Ted Nash Quintet on Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola the following year. In spring 2020 Wolf released Reincarnation on Mack Avenue. The album title signaled a reorientation toward the R&B and soul sounds that had accompanied his youth in the 1990s, refracted here through original jazz compositions. The project presented lead and duet vocals by Imani-Grace Cooper and Marcellus "Bassman" Shepard, supported by pianist Brett Williams, drummer Carroll "CV" Dashiell III, and bassist Richie Goods, with guitarist Mark Whitfield guesting on two tracks.
Wolf was born in Baltimore in 1979 and began musical studies at age three under his father, a teacher and amateur musician, taking up vibraphone, marimba, drums, and piano. During his formative years he concentrated on classical repertoire, attending the Peabody Preparatory School and receiving additional instruction from Leo LePage, a former member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Only in his teenage years, while enrolled at the Baltimore School for the Arts, did Wolf develop a deepening interest in jazz. After completing high school he earned an undergraduate degree in music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied privately with vibraphonist Dave Samuels. During that period he also formed a friendship with trumpeter and classmate Jeremy Pelt, who would later become a collaborator; Pelt in turn introduced him to fellow Berklee musicians Kendrick Scott, Walter Smith III, and trumpeter Jason Palmer. Together Wolf and Palmer co-led a band that performed regularly at the Boston club Wally's throughout most of his time in the city.
Upon receiving his degree in 2001, Wolf remained active as a performer in Boston and took a position teaching percussion at Berklee. He relocated back to Baltimore in 2005 and swiftly established himself as a sought-after bandleader and player. In the role of sideman he has appeared on stage and on recordings with Bobby Watson, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, Christian Scott, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, and additional prominent artists.
Wolf's debut as a solo artist came in 2005 with the independently released Incredible Jazz Vibes. He later joined the Mack Avenue roster and issued his second album, the self-titled Warren Wolf, in 2011. Two years afterward he returned with the quartet project Wolfgang, which included pianist Benny Green, bassist McBride, and further guests. Throughout the ensuing years he continued to work extensively as a session and touring musician, contributing to Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah's Stretch Music and Willie Jones III's Groundwork in 2015. In 2016 he resumed bandleading duties with Convergence, which again showcased McBride, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, pianist Brad Mehldau, and guitarist John Scofield as a special guest. Over the next four years he performed frequently in Europe, appearing on Andrea Motis' Emotional Dance and Sarah McKenzie's Paris in the Rain. Stateside he participated in the SF Jazz Collective's Music of Miles Davis & Original Compositions and T.K. Blue's Amour. He served as featured guest on the Rodney Green Quartet's Live at Jazzhus Montmartre Copenhagen in 2017 and performed with the Ted Nash Quintet on Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola the following year. In spring 2020 Wolf released Reincarnation on Mack Avenue. The album title signaled a reorientation toward the R&B and soul sounds that had accompanied his youth in the 1990s, refracted here through original jazz compositions. The project presented lead and duet vocals by Imani-Grace Cooper and Marcellus "Bassman" Shepard, supported by pianist Brett Williams, drummer Carroll "CV" Dashiell III, and bassist Richie Goods, with guitarist Mark Whitfield guesting on two tracks.
Albums
Singles
