New York bassist/composer and bandleader Ben Wolfe’s music has been described as “Mingus and Miles Davis meet Bartok and Bernard Herrmann” (Ben Ratliff - The New York Times). With acclaim by some of the jazz world’s most respected criLcs, Wolfe continues to produce works that draw top-flight reviews from fans and jazz journalists alike.
Ben’s 2024 release The Understated is his eleventh as leader and features all original composiLons. Nicole Glover who plays tenor saxophone on the record says in her liner notes “This record succeeds in bringing Ben’s beauLful music to life through extremely conscientious group playing. Nothing is forced or pushed; everything that needs to be stated is stated.”
“The Understated is a beauty.” (Carlo Wolff, Downbeat)
In many ways, The Understated is a conLnuaLon of his previous release the criLcally acclaimed Unjust. “Unjust is a brilliant work of melodic ensemble wriLng and superb playing by a stellar intergeneraLonal crew.” (Bill Milkowski, Downbeat).
It’s balance – of elegance and propulsion, of accessibility and edge - disLnguishes it from most convenLonal jazz. Its details reward repeated listening.” (Larry Blumenfeld, Wall Street Journal)
There is no doubt that a\er decades as one of the most sought-a\er bassists in jazz, performing with top names such as Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall and many others, award-winning composer and bandleader Ben Wolfe is clear about his creaLve direcLon… “Much of the music I’ve composed; parLcularly the music that includes strings, I think of as chamber music within a jazz context.”
An award-winning composer, Ben is a two-Lme recipient of Chamber Music America’s New Works: CreaLon and PresentaLon Program Grant through the Doris Duke FoundaLon. First received in 2004, Ben was able to use this funding to compose his extended work “ContradicLon: Music for Sextet.” He received the grant in 2020 and composed “Nonet”. Both of these extended works have been recorded for future release.
Wolfe has distinguished himself through a significant catalogue of original music, including over one hundred songs across eleven albums, several extended works, and the film score for Madhew Modine’s 2008 short I Think I Thought. The New York Sun hailed his work on this film as, “a standout music score.”
Wolfe’s early career included Grammy award-winning, plaLnum-selling collaboraLons with both Harry Connick Jr. and Diana Krall, including Harry’s 1988 soundtrack album When Harry Met Sally, and Diana’s 1999 release When I Look in Your Eyes. He appeared alongside both arLsts on numerous world tours.
Wolfe’s ongoing and close associaLon with Wynton Marsalis; during which Marsalis recorded as a guest on two of his albums, has seen Ben appear on a number of Wynton’s releases, and included a stint in the Wynton Marsalis Septet and membership in the Jazz at Lincoln CenteOrchestra (JLCO), where he performed with jazz luminaries such as Joe Henderson, Doc Cheatham, Jon Hendricks, Harry “Sweets” Edison, and Billy Higgins, among many others. Contemporary jazz greats with whom he has also worked and recorded include Branford Marsalis, Orrin Evans, Eric Reed and Benny Green.
TICKETS
Thursday
— $25 general admission —
— $40 VIP preferred seating —
Friday & Saturday & Sunday
— $30 general admission —
— $45 VIP preferred seating —
