Patrick Wolff

Saxophonist Patrick Wolff brings his mastery of bebop and classic jazz standards to Bird & Beckett's intimate bookshop setting, backed by a powerhouse rhythm section of Bay Area veterans. Expect classic tunes delivered with the swinging vitality that defines Wolff's approach — rooted in the bebop tradition but never rigid or academic.

Wolff, who has performed with jazz greats including Albert "Tootie" Heath, Matt Wilson, and Grant Stewart, plays both tenor saxophone and clarinet with a focus on lyricism that embraces the full lineage of jazz styles. His six albums as a bandleader showcase both original compositions and thoughtful interpretations of the jazz canon, from bebop masters to overlooked gems by composers like Clifford Jordan and Lucky Thompson.

Joining him is pianist Keith Saunders, who studied with Charlie Shoemake and Horace Silver in Los Angeles before leading The NY HardBop Quintet in New York and recording multiple albums for the TCB label. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, Saunders has become a fixture in the local scene, bringing his deep knowledge of bebop and hard bop to the keyboard.

Bassist Eric Markowitz, a first-call musician who spent a decade as a top bassist in St. Louis before establishing himself in the Bay Area since 2003, anchors the rhythm section alongside drummer Smith Dobson. The venue notes this as "one of the best bebop rhythm sections around," and Wolff's own performance calendar confirms this group's chemistry — they've been working together regularly at venues like the Redwood Room and Specs 12 Adler.

The intimate Bird & Beckett setting, surrounded by books and records, provides the perfect atmosphere for this celebration of classic jazz. As one review noted about Wolff's quartet work: the music "flows from beginning to end like a fine tuned machine — each in sync with the others," delivering bebop and swing that's "reliably clear and committed to convention" while showcasing exceptional execution from all four players.