Joe Wulf

Joe Wulf, Trombone, Vocals, Trumpet

„Joe Wulf is a dynamic trombonist with a big sound out of the early days. He’s a dedicated recreator of classic jazz, but his sound is never stale or recycled always fresh and new. And wow! This cat can really swing.” AllAboutJazz.com

Joe Wulf’s passion is traditional jazz, swing and blues from the thirties and early forties. On stage the exceptional trombonist awakens the great jazz legends to new life - from Louis Armstrong and Glenn Miller to Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington.

During live concerts in Germany, foreign countries, and well known jazz festivals, he inspires the audience with his skilful and talented arrangements of classical jazz titles and his own polished compositions.

His unique and incomparable swinging sound, his world class technique on the trombone and his stylistic variety are very impressive and lead him to have the reputation of one of the most versatile performers and trombone players in the jazz-swing world today. While taking part in a jazz festival in Germany Buddy DeFranco, one of the greatest jazz clarinettists prophesied, “Joe Wulf is the next great bandleader of the jazz business.” The star trumpet player Clark Terry shortly after that added “Joe Wulf is a marvellous trombone player, he has been a wonderful surprise to me.”

This excellent musician, composer and superior innovator finds his inspiration and expressive instrumental combinations from Jack Teagarden, Lawrence Brown, Vic Dickenson, Dan Barrett, George Masso and Roy Williams. For 1997 it is notable that Joe Wulf was honoured with the “German Musical Media Prize”, for being the best trombonist and bandleader of the year. Since 1992 he directs and conducts two outstanding bands: The sextet Joe Wulf & The Gentlemen Of Swing and the big band Joe Wulf & His Orchestra.

Biography

At the age of nine Joe Wulf started to play trombone, later as a member of the big band of the local high school in Mayen, Germany he won several first prize awards with distinction.

From the renowned musical contest “Youth Makes Musik” he played in the state young people’s big band and with the “Jazz Preachers” in Cologne, GY, before enrolling at the Conservatory of Cologne Germany with his trombone to further study music. During this time Joe Wulf could be heard in various musical groups. Very soon musicians of the international jazz scene recognized this young German trombone player. In 1984 he became a member in the band of the American clarinettist and saxophonist Pierre Paquette and one year later he started regularly playing with Rod Mason’s Hot Five. 1987 he took over the musical lead of Rod Mason’s Savannah Orchestra.

Because of LP and CD productions, performances on radio and in television as well as participation in jazz festivals in Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands and Switzerland Joe Wulf earned a world-class reputation in the jazz-swing scene. His tone is strong and sweet, his improvisations smooth and sure. While in concert he is often on stage with international jazz greats, among others: Bill Ramsey and Paul Kuhn in Germany; Chris Barber, Mr. Acker Bill and Pete York from England; Bob Barnard and Tom Baker from Australia and with American musicians Dan Barrett, Benny Waters, George Masso, Spiegel Wilcox, Al Grey, Red Holloway, Slide Hampton, Sir Roland Hanna, Jimmy Woode, Clark Terry and Buddy DeFranco.

Since 1992 Joe Wulf directs and conducts two outstanding bands: The sextet Joe Wulf & The Gentlemen Of Swing and also the big band Joe Wulf & His Orchestra. In addition to that this popular soloist and studio musician teaches music, category jazz and swing at the Conservatory of Cologne, Germany.

There are several publications of and with Joe Wulf. A highlight of his career is the presentation of his current CD Trombone Kings, with eight of his own compositions. He is joined by three of the best and most famous trombonists of the jazz world today – Dan Barrett, George Masso and Roy Williams.