At around 8:15 p.m. on Valentine’s Day an intriguing sound flowed from Smothers Theater. It was not the sound of a world-renowned album nor of familiar love songs. Instead it was a completely original performance of improvisation mixed with a talented pianist bassist and drummer.
Michael Wolff a middle-aged man who made the decision long ago to pursue a life in music started a band called the Michael Wolff Trio. This group consisting of bassist Richie Goods and drummer Victor Jones had the audience tapping its feet and nodding its heads to the prepossessing extemporaneous melodies emanating from the stage.
“I had never heard an improv jazz band before this said sophomore Sadie Acquah-Asare. I was really impressed and surprised at how much I enjoyed them. I don’t even listen to this type of music so that’s saying a lot.”
From the beginning they agreed that no matter what song the group creates they will stick to sounds firmly rooted in jazz and blues. They begin a song either made up or using an introduction from a known song and then just play letting the notes venture where they will.
All three members performed solos that awed the crowd. Goods stunned the audience with his flawless and complex stints. Jones took the lead at times and exhibited a moment of pure talent and passion through the beat of his drums. Wolff displayed a cluster of solos and snatched up any opportunity he could to pour his soul into a playful piano riff. Frequently he became so moved by the music he found it impossible to sit still in his seat.
This talented man’s musical resume includes time spent with Cal Tjader’s latin jazz band as well as Airto Moriera and Flora Purim’s Fingers band. Jones fused his ability with Wolff’s in 1975 and they have been together ever since. Following this Wolff’s career became unstoppable. He consummated several admirable feats which may or may not have stood as goals for the musician but nonetheless included touring with Sonny Rollin’s band from 1976 to 1978 before starting his first professional band “Answering Service.”
At times Wolff moves beyond his habitual genre and takes a plunge into the classical world. He wrote orchestral arrangements and conducted more than 25 symphony orchestras that toured worldwide. He spent five-and-a-half years as the musical director of “The Arsenio Hall Show an Emmy Award winning late-night talk show. On top of it all, he was the producer, writer and musical director for his sons’ television series, The Naked Brothers Band on Nickelodeon. In 2004, they received the Broadcast Music, Inc., Film and TV Award for the musical talent displayed on the show in 2004.
What I’ve heard about this guy is crazy Acquah-Asare said. He’s done so much with his music and has come so far. I’m happy I was introduced to this style of music.”
Wolff has flourished in his career through winning awards recording albums including the release of his album in 2007 with the trio “jazz JAZZ jazz.” Most recently though the production of the album “Joe Strut – named in remembrance of Wolff’s late friend, Joe Zawinul – has received critical acclaim. This makes eight recorded albums completed throughout his successful career.
Many songs off his latest album were performed at the Pepperdine concert.
[Zawinul] had a way about his walk that wasn’t simply a walk but a strut hence the title Wolff informed the audience.
The songs he performed varied in their intensity and emotion. Through the different paces, keys and use of the instruments, the music covered a large scale of musical styles. Overall, it contained brilliant talent and amazed the privileged crowd members as they experienced his talent and musical genius.