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Tim Warfield

Veteran saxophonist Tim Warfield, Jr., a native of York, Pennsylvania, began studying the alto saxophone at age nine. He switched to tenor saxophone during his first year at William Penn Sr. High School where he participated in various musical ensembles winning many jazz soloist awards, including second out of forty competitors at the Montreal Festival of Music in Canada. After high school, Warfield attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. for two years before leaving to lead and co-lead groups in the Central Pennsylvania and Baltimore/Washington areas.

In 1990, he was chosen to be a member of trumpeter and CBS/Sony recording artist Marlon Jordan's Quintet, of which he remained a member for three years.

In 1991, he was selected to record "Tough Young Tenors" on the Island/Antilles label, which was listed as one of the top ten recordings of the year by the New York Times, ultimately rising to number five, on the Billboard top 100 Jazz charts. He also joined Jazz Futures, a world touring group assembled by George Wein to showcase some of the world’s brightest young stars in jazz. Also in 1991, Warfield placed third at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition held at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Warfield has made several television appearances including the Today Show, Bill Cosby’s You Bet Your Life (where he was a member of the house band until 1992), and Ted Turner's 1998 Trumpet Awards. Additionally, he has made numerous stage appearances with such names as Donald Byrd, Michelle Rosewoman, Marcus Miller, Marlon Jordan, James Williams, Christian McBride, Winard Harper, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Coles, Leslie Burrs, Isaac Hayes, Peter Nero, Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Billy Paul, Kenny Barron, Nicholas Payton, Charles Fambrough, Eric Reed, Carl Allen, Terell Stafford, Stefon Harris, Orrin Evans, The Newport Millennium All Stars, "Papa" John Defrancesco, Edgar Bateman, Joey Defrancesco, Claudio Raggazzi, Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets, Trudy Pitts, Dana Hall, and others.

In 1994, he joined bassist and Verve recording artist Christian McBride’s group, where he remained a member until 1999.

Warfield’s first recording, A Cool Blue, was selected as one of the top ten recordings of the year in a 1995 New York Times critic’s poll, as was his 1998 recording Gentle Warrior (featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Tarus Mateen, Clarence Penn, Terell Stafford, and Nicholas Payton), proclaiming him possibly the most powerful tenor saxophonist of his generation.

In 1999, he was awarded "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in DownBeat Magazines 49th Annual Jazz Critics poll.

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Liner Notes

Tim Warfield: One For Shirley

Read "Tim Warfield: One For Shirley" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


Jimmy Smith and Larry Young have continually set the benchmark for creative endeavors involving jazz and the Hammond B-3 organ, Smith being acknowledged for bringing the technical virtuosity of be-bop to the instrument and Young for expanding the vernacular based on the forward-thinking implications of John Coltrane. Somewhere in between these two, a colorful range of styles proliferated throughout the '50s and '60s, from the cocktail jazz of Milt Buckner to the soulful grooves of “Big" John Patton. But it ...

5
Album Review

Terell Stafford: Between Two Worlds

Read "Between Two Worlds" reviewed by Neil Duggan


Family is a major theme on Terell Stafford's Between Two Worlds, with compositions dedicated to his daughter, mother and wife. His band has been playing with him so long they must feel like family too. They include tenor and soprano saxophonist Tim Warfield, pianist Bruce Barth, drummer Johnathan Blake and bassist David Wong. In fact, Wong plays with Stafford every week as part of the renowned Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Percussionist Alex Acuña is the new member of the family.

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Album Review

Rodney Whitaker: Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill

Read "Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Oasis is the third time around for bassist Rodney Whitaker and music written by fellow Michigander Gregg Hill, following Common Ground (Origin 82780) and Outrospection (Origin 82819). Personnel is the same as on Common Ground (Terell Stafford, trumpet; Tim Warfield, saxophone; Bruce Barth, piano; Dana Hall, drums; Rockelle Fortin, vocals) with Hall and Fortin returning from Outrospection (on which Fortin is listed as Rockelle Whitaker). Hill's compositions are for the most part firmly grounded in customary post-bop ...

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Album Review

Tim Warfield: Spherical: Dedicated to Thelonious Sphere Monk

Read "Spherical: Dedicated to Thelonious Sphere Monk" reviewed by Andrew Luhn


Thelonious Monk tribute albums are certainly nothing new in the jazz world. As early as 1961, Eddie “Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Griffin recorded Lookin' at Monk and pianist Bud Powell recorded Portrait of Thelonious. Even while his career was still going strong, Monk's importance as a composer and influence on other jazz musicians was already clear. Today Monk's legendary status as one of jazz's most important figures is still clear. As far as I know, there is no hard data ...

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Live Review

Tim Warfield’s All-Star Jazzy Christmas at Tempe Center for the Arts

Read "Tim Warfield’s All-Star Jazzy Christmas at Tempe Center for the Arts" reviewed by Patricia Myers


Tim Warfield's All-Star Jazzy Christmas Tempe Center for the Arts Tempe, Arizona December 20, 2014 A top-level East Coast jazz sextet performed a concert that reinvented holiday-season favorites with jazzy improvisations as part of the monthly Lakeshore Music series. Saxophonist Tim Warfield led a strong contingent that featured trumpeter Terell Stafford, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Chris Beck, plus guest vocalist Joanna Pascale. The program included traditional, ...

4
Album Review

Tim Warfield: Inspire Me!

Read "Inspire Me!" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Saxophonist Tim Warfield has a lot of irons in the fire. While serving as “artist-in-residence" at Messiah College, attending to his duties as an adjunct faculty member at Temple University, appearing live under his own name and working with high profile artists like trumpeter Terell Stafford, he also found time to deliver three albums in an eleven month span--Tim Warfield's Jazzy Christmas (Self Produced, 2012), Eye Of The Beholder (Criss Cross, 2013) and the record under discussion here; if that's ...

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Bailey's Bundles

Christmas IV: Jazz Instrumental - Duke Ellington, Tim Warfield, Manhattan Brass and Ted Rosenthal Trio

Read "Christmas IV:  Jazz Instrumental - Duke Ellington, Tim Warfield, Manhattan Brass and Ted Rosenthal Trio" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


This holiday season has turned out better than the past several when considering quality seasonal music releases. The jazz instrumental contingent has provided several fine recordings for consideration. Harmonie Ensemble / New York, Steven Richman Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn / Piotr Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suites Harmonia Mundi 2013 Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn / Piotr Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suites highlights the greatest jazz adaptation of classical music. This release ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Tim Warfield's Jazzy All-Star Christmas, Goran Ivanovic Trio, and more

Jazz this week: Tim Warfield's Jazzy All-Star Christmas, Goran Ivanovic Trio, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This looks like the week when the St. Louis jazz and creative music calendar hits “peak holiday music," with seasonally themed shows taking place every night and/or day for the next seven days. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, December 14 “Tim Warfield's All-Star Jazzy Christmas," will open a four-night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro. A touring holiday-themed production led by the saxophonist and Philadelphia native (pictured), the Philly-centric ensemble includes trumpeter Terell Stafford, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianist Cyrus ...

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Event

Holiday Magic Comes To Baltimore With The Tim Warfield Septet

Holiday Magic Comes To Baltimore With The Tim Warfield Septet

Source: The Phillips Agency

With help from a band of bona fide jazz stars, saxophonist Tim Warfield brings holiday magic to Baltimore with a concert at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on December 22. (Shows at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m will allow Ravens fans time to attend before the big game). The stellar ensemble includes Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Stefon Harris (vibraphone), Clarence Penn (drums), Terell Stafford (trumpet), Rodney Whitaker (bass), and Joanna Pascale (vocals). It’s rare to see so many big names in ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jazzu with Tim Warfield, Benjamin Cawthra on Jazz Photography, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and More

Jazz This Week: Jazzu with Tim Warfield, Benjamin Cawthra on Jazz Photography, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

With Memorial Day come and gone and local presenters now on their summer schedules, the number of touring jazz musicians coming through St. Louis definitely takes a noticeable drop at this time of year. At the same time, there are plenty of other things competing for the public's attention, from summer outdoor activities to musical events like this Saturday's RFT Music Showcase. But even with all that, there still are some noteworthy jazz events featuring both visitors and local musicians ...

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Event

Critically acclaimed Jazzman Tim Warfield, brings his "Jazzy" Christmas Show to the Historic Bohemian Caverns

Critically acclaimed Jazzman Tim Warfield, brings his "Jazzy" Christmas Show to the Historic Bohemian Caverns

Source: Tim Warfield

This holiday season, saxophonist Tim Warfield, will be spreading “good will and cheer," at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington D.C., where for the third consecutive year, he'll perform his “Jazzy" Christmas Show, on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10. Warfield, known for his exciting performances and dark sensuous tone, will showcase some of his clever arrangements to many familiar and a few not so familiar, holiday classics. His group, this performance, will again feature the sultry Philadelphia vocalist Joanna ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz Night at the Michener Museum, featuring Tim Warfield and The Shirley Scott Tribute Band on May 21

Jazz Night at the Michener Museum, featuring Tim Warfield and The Shirley Scott Tribute Band on May 21

Source: Ilene Dube

Join us for Jazz Night at the Michener, featuring: Tim Warfield, saxophones Pat Bianchi, organ Terell Stafford, trumpet Byron Landham, drums Daniel Sadownick, percussion Saturday, May 21, 8 to 11 pm Saxophonist and York, PA native, Tim Warfield debuted his latest release, A Sentimental Journey featuring trumpeter, Terell Stafford, organist, Pat Bianchi, and drummer Byron Landham. This established major artist, with a string of fine Criss Cross label releases, has appeared on ...

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Event

Tim Warfield returns to Bohemian Caverns with "Jazzy" Christmas Show

Tim Warfield returns to Bohemian Caverns with "Jazzy" Christmas Show

Source: Tim Warfield

Tenor saxophonist Tim Warfield and his sextet, will be spreading goodwill and holiday cheer at the Bohemian Caverns this coming weekend. His group will feature the sultry vocalist Joanna Pascale and the adroit young trumpet sensation Philip Dizack. Rounding out the rhythm section will be pianist Neil Podgurski, bassist Madison Rast, and drummer Chris Beck. This event, will showcase Warfield's imaginative arrangements to some classic holiday songs, and is sure to bring warmth to this festive season. Showtimes are at ...

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Performance / Tour

Tim Warfield Organ Band with Terrell Stafford in Harrisburg on November 14th

Tim Warfield Organ Band with Terrell Stafford in Harrisburg on November 14th

Source: Michael Ricci

Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz presents the Tim Warfield Organ Band, with special guest Terrell Stafford on trumpet, live in concert Sunday, November 14th at 6pm. The Tim Warfield Organ Band, with special guest Terrell Stafford is the last of our 2010 monthly concert series sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. We'll celebrate the release of Tim's new CD, A Sentimental Journey (Criss Cross, 2010). A top youth band from an area high school or college will open ...

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Recording

Saxophonist Tim Warfield's "A Sentimental Journey" Released May 28, 2010

Saxophonist Tim Warfield's "A Sentimental Journey" Released May 28, 2010

Source: Michael Ricci

Criss Cross Jazz artist, Tim Warfield, introduces a new recording, with a strikingly clever perspective to “classic" repertoire from the Great American Songbook. Reaching as far back as the early 1920's, the music displays an ardent sensuality, and a feeling of history and celebration. A Sentimental Journey features, trumpeter extraordinaire, Terell Stafford, the dynamic Hammond B-3 organist Pat Bianchi, and the perpetual swinger from Philadelphia, drummer Byron Landham.

Assured and gracefully, Warfield and company, navigate through updated arrangements of such ...

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Performance / Tour

Tim Warfield Brings Holiday Show to Bohemian Caverns, Featuring Special Guest Stefon Harris, December 11-12

Tim Warfield Brings Holiday Show to Bohemian Caverns, Featuring Special Guest Stefon Harris, December 11-12

Source: Michael Ricci

Tenor saxophonist Tim Warfield will be appearing in Washington, for a very special performance at the Bohemian Caverns. His group will feature a cast of fiery youthful newcomers including trumpeter Tim Thompson, pianist Neil Podgurski, bassist Eric Wheeler, and drummer Chris Beck. Serving as “special" guest, will be his friend and cohort, the critically acclaimed, Stefon Harris on vibraphone. Harris has been heralded as “...one of the most important young artists in jazz". (Los Angeles Times) Warfield and Harris, both ...

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Performance / Tour

Tim Warfield Appearing at the Bohemian Caverns July 17 and 18

Tim Warfield Appearing at the Bohemian Caverns July 17 and 18

Source: All About Jazz

Critically acclaimed saxophonist Tim Warfield, is returning to Washington D.C. this month with a cast of vibrant musical newcomers, including the electrifying pianist Neil Podgurski, Washington D.C. native and in the pocket bassist Eric Wheeler, and powerhouse drummer Chris Beck. The hefty toned tenor saxophonist known for his swaggering soulful tone, and emphatic style, will be debuting new original compositions, as well as arrangements of some classic standards. Showtime begins at 8:30 p.m. The Bohemian Caverns is located at 2001 ...

Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

Philadelphia

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Artist in Residence / Messiah College, Grantham, Pa/ Full-time Professor/Saxophone Instructor/Coordinator, Masters of Music in Jazz Studies Program/Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Fly With the Wind

BCM&D Records
2023

buy

Between Two Worlds

Le Coq Records
2023

buy

Oasis: The Music of...

Origin Records
2022

buy

Jazzland

Criss Cross
2018

buy

Inspire Me!

Herb Harris Music
2013

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All Members

From: Fly With the Wind
By Tim Warfield

Betty's Tune

From: Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill
By Tim Warfield

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

From: Tim Warfield's Jazzy Christmas
By Tim Warfield

Monkee See Monkee Doo

From: Inspire Me!
By Tim Warfield

Videos

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