Monday, December 28, 12 PM
Adam Wolff has been playing the piano for most of his life. Starting at the age of 8, he spent ten years studying classical piano performance, music theory, and creative music expression. Raised in New York and Chicago, he returned to New York City in the 80’s, and spent many years playing music full time in Manhattan. While living in New York, Wolff studied with several great pianists: Barry Harris (Keeper of the Bebop Flame), Mike Longo (Musical Director for Dizzy Gillespie) and Kenny Werner (Author of Effortless Mastery and a global music legend). He performed/recorded with many great jazz players including Victor Lewis, Calvin Hill, Rebecca Franks, and others. He was fortunate to record with two of Ahmad Jamal’s drummers: Vernel Fournier and Frank Gant. (Vernel Fournier is credited with developing the iconic drumbeat used in Jamal’s recording of “Poinciana” in the 1950’s, and Frank Gant was part of the creative genius guiding Jamal’s “Awakenings” album.) During this time, Wolff also taught music at the Johnny Colon School of Music in East Harlem, as well as playing in clubs, restaurants, cafes, and private engagements throughout the New York City region. While in New York, he was also approached by Long Island University and offered a full music scholarship, where he received a degree with honors.
Relocating to San Diego, Adam Wolff performed with a wide range of music groups; jazz, popular dance music, ambient music, and creative expression performances. He recorded three CD’s with Blue44, an experimental ambient project. “Conversations”, a duo album of piano and bass with the legendary Mark Dresser was released in 2024.
Wolff’s music contains key elements of excitement and hard swinging, soulful, creative musical expression. These elements come through in his music. He can be heard most Saturday evenings at the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego with a jazz trio accompanied by San Diego’s top jazz musicians, including Duncan Moore, Richard Sellers, Ben Wannicur, Luke Little, Antar Martin and many others. Wolff also performs regularly at The U.S. Grant Hotel, The Black Rail, Books and Records, Il Sogno Italiano, and many other venues throughout the San Diego region.
"I've listened to Adam many times over the years in San Diego. Having obviously listened to the jazz piano masters, his playing easily bridges the many of styles of jazz, funk and blues. His easy-going, affable personality comes through in his music." --Mike Wofford
Caleb Furgatch has been playing the bass in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego regions for many years. He also resided in Amsterdam for a time, touring and playing with a variety of blues and jazz groups in Europe and the U.K. Equally adept at both electric and upright, Furgatch has played with Pee Wee Ellis, Bobby Shew, Jim Gibson, Charles McPherson, as well as being an essential part of the great Tony Ortega’s jazz ensemble for 20 years. At an early stage of his career, he auditioned for lessons with the legendary Ray Brown, and was told that he was “too much work.” Furgatch used the feedback to develop his own distinct style, combining a strong swing/groove feel with a great sense of adventure and humor.
Michael Evans has been a mainstay drummer of San Diego’s music scene for decades. The Evans family represents musical royalty in San Diego; Michael’s father was a saxophonist, and served as bandleader of the San Diego Navy Band. Michael’s brother, Carl Evans, Jr. was a super-talent on the keyboards, and went on to create and lead Fattburger, one of the most successful jazz groups to emerge from San Diego’s music scene. It was in this rich musical environment that Evans developed; he played drums in the family garage for hours starting at the age of eight. In his early teens he spent several years playing gigs around Southern California with a future superstar, Nathan East (bassist for Eric Clapton and Fourplay). Many San Diego vocalists ask for Evans as their drummer of choice, because of his listening skills and tasteful grooves. Evans has performed with Ronnie Laws, Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Hollis Gentry, and once spent six weeks in residence in Paris performing jazz in several clubs. He can be heard performing in many San Diego music venues with different artists. Michael Evans’ drumming style always contains “pocket”. Pocket is a music term signifying that everything is swinging, grooving, and feeling good. His timing is phenomenal, and his energy is infectious.
Tommy Aros is an in-demand session percussionist who has played on well over 60 albums by artists as diverse as Freddie Hubbard, Al Dimeola, David Benoit, Dan Segel, Mark Lessman, Charo, Trini Lopez, Tom Barabas, Luis Miguel and many more. Although he may be best recognized for his work with Grammy Award winning superstar Luis Miguel, Tom is also well known as a member of popular San Diego based band Fattburger, and Brazilian all-star band Brasilia. His last appearance at The Athenaeum with Wolff’s group was met with high enthusiasm and cheers.
The Athenaeum’s Mini-Concerts offer a weekly opportunity to experience live music in the intimate setting of the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room. Presented every Monday at noon, the series features a diverse range of performers, from local and touring musicians to university faculty, chamber ensembles, and prize-winning students. Programs span classical music as well as jazz, folk, and world music.
Founded by Glenna Hazleton in 1970, Mini-Concerts is one of the Athenaeum’s longest-running concert series. Each performance lasts approximately one hour and is free and open to the public. No reservations or tickets are required. Seating is first-come, first-served and limited.
Doors open at 11:40 a.m. and close for entry at 12:10 p.m. or when capacity is reached. Donations are welcome.