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Photo credit: Rob Howe
Swing Speak
Over twenty years ago, after
decades of backing a legion of top local and national performers,
four of Washington's finest sidemen stepped into the spotlight to
form Swing Speak. Their dream was to have a band in which they could
express the full range of their musical experience. The musical
chemistry and maturity of those early performances has evolved into
something that is both distinctive and exhilarating.
Swing Speak's early
repertoire centered around the swing and standards of the 1930's
and 1940's, but their musical range soon expanded to include the
full range of the American jazz repertoire, including a hearty
dose of Latin and rhythm & blues. In this era of techno pop
and hype, they make music the old fashion way: with a strong melodic
content and deft musical skill. The success of this formula has
gained them the admiration of their peers, plus a loyal following
on both the jazz concert and swing dance circuit.
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Swing Speak is led by bassist
Steve Wolf who has been a fixture on the Washington music
scene since the late 60s. During that time he has performed throughout
the United States and Europe with such D.C. area notables as Danny
Gatton, Tom Principato,
The
Nighthawks, Cathy
Ponton-King, Catfish
Hodge, Deanna Bogart,
Bob Margolin,
Linwood
Taylor, Ron Holloway, Big
Joe Maher, Jessie Yawn, and a diverse group of national artists
ranging from Chuck Berry, The Coasters and Bo Diddly to Doctor
John, Brian Auger and
sax man Clarence Clemons. His well respected work in the blues
arena has led him to back Chicago blues legends Sunnyland Slim,
Pine Top Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Guitar Junior (Luther Johnson),
and many others. Steve has also garnered an impressive list of
recording credits as both a performer and producer.
Steve has also garnered an
impressive list of recording credits as both a performer and producer.
He played on and produced the legendary recording “ Danny
Gatton – Redneck Jazz Explosion” (Live At The Cellar
Door). He is on nearly a dozen recordings and compilations with
guitarist extraordinaire, Tom Principato. Wolf produced Principato’s
“Live
In Europe” CD release. He also lent his playing and song
writing skills to two Deanna Bogart Recordings. In recent years
Steve has enjoyed recording tracks for a number of children’s
music projects with folk artists Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer and
Sue Trainor, and he's working on two new recordings with Tom Principato.
In July 2011 he and Tom played the prestigious Montrex Jazz Festival
in Switzerland. Steve
continues to enjoy playing a variety of musical styles and is
frequently seen onstage with NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipient, Phil Wiggins, blues artist Linwood Taylor, country singer Kitty Gartner, folk artist Lynn Hollyfield, and country artist Will
Gravatt.
For the latest updates and
gig info visit Steve on
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