Home » Jazz Musicians » Andrew Woolf

Andrew Woolf

Andrew Woolf is a saxophone and clarinet player known for his versatility across a diverse range of styles, his sensitive musicianship, and his distinctive and expressive instrumental voice.

Admired for his melodic and restrained approach as a jazz player, he is also now recognised as a leading exponent of choro in the UK, alongside his performances in a variety of settings, crossing between modern jazz (London Vocal Project, The Button Band), Brazilian music (Alvorada, Choro Matiz), experimental improvisation (Madwort Saxophone Quartet), burning Afrobeat (Afrik Bawantu) and more.

This breadth of experience and interest finds a unified voice in his output as a band leader and composer. Simultaneously accessible and surprising, moving and uplifting, his jazz quintet places an emphasis on lyricism, atmosphere, sonority and playfulness, reaching a depth, clarity and honesty of emotional expression through his soulful, melancholy-tinged tone. His debut solo album, 'Song Unsung', releases in June 2021.

He grew up playing classical music, before exploring jazz in his teens. He studied at Oxford University, and then Guildhall School of Music and Drama, developing a thoughtful and nuanced voice as an improviser and playing in a variety of ensembles which emerged from the student scene. During this period he also began his love affair with choro, a style of Brazilian traditional instrumental music.

Andrew is also a passionate teacher of music. For almost 20 years, he has worked with students of all ages and levels, in individual, group, school and workshop settings, teaching instrumental lessons, ensembles, choirs and musical awareness and understanding. In recent years his teaching has also become influenced by his training as a integrative arts psychotherapist.

Awards

With Alvorada: Best Brazilian Band - LUKAS Awards 2019 Best Group - Focus Brazil Awards 2019 With London Vocal Project: Nominated for Best Jazz Ensemble of the Year - Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2019


Tags

7
Album Review

Andrew Woolf: Song Unsung

Read "Song Unsung" reviewed by Chris May


Although London-based tenor saxophonist Andrew Woolf has been releasing records since 2012, Song Unsung is the first he has issued under his own name. His debut, which was actually recorded in 2008, was the EP Soma Quartet (Self Produced), made by Woolf, electric guitarist Ryan Williams, double bassist Will Collier and trumpeter Joe Auckland. The disc celebrated the musicians' shared love of the music of Kenny Wheeler and in particular Wheeler's album Angel Song (ECM, 1997). Over a decade later, ...

Read more articles
“… warm-toned, mellifluous tenor saxophone… with elegant phrasing” (London Jazz News)

For Alvorada: “They breathe a new life into Brazil’s popular, lilting choro style… adding a distinctive, contempoary edge” Sarah Ward, Jazz FM “A tight-knit family of virtuosos… One of the most exciting new bands in London” DJ Ritu, Resonance FM “Undoubtedly the freshest and most original voice of UK choro” Sounds & Colours

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

London

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

I consider teaching and performing to be related and equally important in my life as musician. My experiences as a performer feed back into my teaching, and at the same time I am continually learning myself from teaching others. I am a strong believer in the wider value of music lessons: not everyone who takes lessons will go on to be a full-time musician, but the benefits of learning an instrument are available to everyone. Music has the capacity to teach social skills that are undervalued and under-taught in schools such communication, expression, personal application and practice

Read more

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Song Unsung

Oti-O Records
2021

buy

First Light

ALVCD01
2019

buy

Emilie

Self-release
2017

buy

The Button Band

FMR Records
2014

buy

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.