Joel Woolf's High 5

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

Born and raised in Sydney, Joel took up saxophone after high school. In 2002 he moved to Canberra to study at the Australian National University where he was active in the local scene. In 2005 he was accepted to study at UCLA in Los Angeles USA, and whilst there had the opportunity to study under master guitarist Kenny Burrell, as well as other musicians in the greater LA community, such as saxophonists Bob Sheppard and Bennie Maupin. He performed in LA and San Francisco and conducted workshops for disadvantaged children at schools in South Central LA. Upon return to Australia in 2006 Joel formed Aunty Richard, which released its debut album “Leaf Blower” on Jazzgroove Records to critical acclaim in August 2008 . He is also a member of psych-prog rock outfit Pirate, who have just released their debut EP. Joel maintains an active career gigging, recording and producing.

Read our review of ‘Leaf Blower’

1. SONNY ROLLINS – Sydney Opera House 2008

This was actually the third time I’d seen Sonny play. He is my all-time sax hero and I was super excited the first two times I saw him. I enjoyed both of those, but thought his band sounded a bit tired; so I was a little sceptical about how this gig would sound. However, it moved me to the point of tears, especially when he started playing St Thomas. There have been countless adjectives used to describe his playing, so I need not do it here, but I felt that this concert was really something special.

2. BJORK – Sydney Opera House forecourt, 2008

I have been a fan of Bjork for a quite few years and I think her voice is amazing- totally unique and very expressive. I was very excited to see her live, and she lived up to my expectations. She burst onto the stage and was a ball of excitable energy for the duration of the concert. She had a brass band with her, as well as some other live musicians and computer guys. The sound was fantastic, her voice was as powerful as on record and the concert built to a rousing finale- the song “Declare Independence” which she dedicated to the indigenous people of Australia. An amazing gig made even more spectacular by its venue, the Opera House forecourt.

3. HERBIE HANCOCK – NYC Carnegie hall 2006

This was a very special concert for a number of reasons. Firstly, it presented Herbie in many different contexts- with his electric band playing his funk classics, piano duet with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, trio with Ron Carter and Jack Dejohnette, and quartet with Wayne Shorter, Brian Blade and Dave Holland. The music was amazing and Herbie was in fine form. He introduced a special guest with the trio, and out walked Michael Brecker in what was to be his last live performance before his untimely death.

4. BENNIE MAUPIN – Los Angeles, Club Tropical, 2006

This was Bennie Maupin’s CD launch gig. I had the amazing chance to get to know Bennie while I was living in LA- we hung out and talked a bit about all kinds of things. He is amazing and inspiring person and musician. This gig was a great showcase of his versatility as he switched between Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute, Tenor Sax and Soprano Sax and conjured an intensely personal sound on each. He is a phenomenal soloist and writer and I can never begin to thank him for the profound effect he has had on me, and my music.

5. DEWEY REDMAN – San Francisco, 2006

Dewey Redman is another of my sax-heroes. His tone speaks volumes to me and I almost feel like I could eat it, it has that much substance. Hearing his sound live in the room immediately made me feel incredible, and what he was playing was so unique and beautiful. He finished his set with a dirty, gritty Texas blues which had people dancing in the audience and gave me a grin I was wearing for hours afterward.