Patrick Wolff Quartet

Saxophonist and clarinetist Patrick Wolff brings his quartet to The Dawn Club for an evening of mainstream jazz rooted in bebop and hard bop traditions. A veteran of both the New York and San Francisco jazz scenes, Wolff has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries including Albert "Tootie" Heath, Matt Wilson, Grant Stewart, Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Dena Derose. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2009, he's become a regular collaborator with Marcus Shelby, Richard Sears, Adam Shulman, and Diana Gameros.

Wolff's playing is characterized by a focus on lyricism and an embrace of the full lineage of jazz styles. His quartet delivers what one reviewer called "hi-fidelity bebop" — music that flows "like a fine tuned machine" with exceptional execution from all four players. The group's approach balances technical proficiency with accessibility, offering "enough thematic variety to be delighted and impressed" while maintaining the swinging, conversational spirit of classic jazz quartets.

As a bandleader, Wolff has released six albums featuring both his original compositions and classic jazz repertoire. His writing draws from the bebop and hard bop traditions while incorporating influences from his eclectic musical background, which includes stints with West African pop/funk group Asiko and even prog metal band Kayo Dot. Beyond performing, he's a dedicated jazz educator at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, College of San Mateo, and Stanford Jazz Workshop, and formerly hosted the weekly radio show "Have You Heard" on KCSM 91.1FM.

According to his performance schedule, this Dawn Club performance features an organ trio format with Adam Shulman and Miles Turk, promising "a fun gig with a smoking organ trio" in "a beautiful venue with some serious SF Jazz history credentials." The Dawn Club's intimate setting and studio-quality sound make it an ideal venue for Wolff's brand of swinging, lyrical jazz.