Tim Wolfe (Sax):

Tim Wolfe has been playing the saxophone since the sixth grade. While his day job as a professor of sociology and criminal justice at Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland pays his bills, his first love is jazz saxophone. He traces his love of music to the influences of his stepfather and father, both respected professional musicians. His stepfather, Jack Wolfe, is one of the most respected horn players in the Washington D.C. area. Tim's birth father, Durward Potter, is a bassist who played jazz in the D.C. area for many years. Currently, Durward plays at the Smokey Mountain Jamboree in Cherokee, N.C. Tim's love of music has apparently been handed down to his children. His oldest son, Tim Wolfe, Jr., the Fire City Jazz Band's bassist before Lebanon Valley College took him away, is a gifted up and coming musician. His other sons-Matt, Joe, and James-are also budding musicians. Tim's lovely wife, Doria, also plays sax and trumpet. The Wolfe family hopes to one day have their own band.

Gear Tim currently plays Yamaha saxophones. He notes that the Yamaha horns are as well made as any in the world. On tenor Tim usually plays an Otto Link metal mouthpiece with Hemke reeds. On alto he plays an SR Technologies Pro metal mouthpiece with either Rico Plasticover reeds or Fibracell reeds. On soprano he plays a hard rubber Selmer S80 with either Hemke or Fibracell reeds.

Advice Tim's advice to young (and not so young) players is to practice diligently while having fun. He acknowledges that gear is important, but the most significant way to improve as a player is to practice, practice, practice. Time must be spent in the woodshed; there are no shortcuts. Tim also urges players to listen to the sax giants, like Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins, Zoot Sims, John Coltrane, and, of course, Charlie "Yardbird" Parker.

Tim teaches saxophone to beginning and intermediate level students. If you are interested in lessons, please email him at wolfe@firecityjazzband.com, or click here!.