Baltimore native Warren Wolf began his musical journey at age three, studying under his father. Classically trained on the vibraphone, marimba, drums, and piano, Wolf attended the Baltimore School for the Arts and Berklee College of Music. After becoming a prominent figure in Boston’s music scene and a professor at Berklee, Wolf launched an international jazz career, notably collaborating with Christian McBride. His 2023 release Chano Pozo: Origins earned kudos, showcasing his multi-instrumental talents. With History of the Vibraphone, Wolf returns to his primary instrument, the vibraphone.

I encountered this recording while listening to random new jazz music and I heard Wolf’s nice rendition of “Spring High.” “Spring High” is a great Dave Samuels composition from Dave’s Natural Selection recording (1991, GRP Records). Samuels was Wolf’s former teacher at Berklee College of Music. “He was probably one of the most famous vibraphone players in the 1980s with the fusion jazz group Spyro Gyra” says Wolf.

I’ve spent time with History of the Vibraphone, and it has been a rewarding experience. While I’m familiar with most of the artists Wolf honors, his interpretations inspire me to dive deeper into their music. Wolf has a knack for selecting pieces that both celebrate the past and spark curiosity about the history of the vibraphone.

His band is tight, with Tim Green (saxophone), Alex Brown (piano), Vicente Archer (bass), and Carroll “CV” Dashiell III (drums). You can really hear them tear it up on Wolf’s original composition  “I See You Baby Lookin at Me.” I hope I get to experience this track live someday.

Whether you’re well-versed in vibraphone lore or just beginning to explore it, History of the Vibraphone is a joy to listen to.

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