Tim Warfield

Veteran saxophonist Tim Warfield, Jr., a native of York, Pennsylvania, began studying the alto saxophone at age nine. He switched to tenor saxophone during his first year at William Penn Sr. High School where he participated in various musical ensembles winning many jazz soloist awards, including second out of forty competitors at the Montreal Festival of Music in Canada. After high school, Warfield attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. for two years before leaving to lead and co-lead groups in the Central Pennsylvania and Baltimore/Washington areas.

In 1990, he was chosen to be a member of trumpeter and CBS/Sony recording artist Marlon Jordan's Quintet, of which he remained a member for three years.

In 1991, he was selected to record "Tough Young Tenors" on the Island/Antilles label, which was listed as one of the top ten recordings of the year by the New York Times, ultimately rising to number five, on the Billboard top 100 Jazz charts. He also joined Jazz Futures, a world touring group assembled by George Wein to showcase some of the world’s brightest young stars in jazz. Also in 1991, Warfield placed third at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition held at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Warfield has made several television appearances including the Today Show, Bill Cosby’s You Bet Your Life (where he was a member of the house band until 1992), and Ted Turner's 1998 Trumpet Awards. Additionally, he has made numerous stage appearances with such names as Donald Byrd, Michelle Rosewoman, Marcus Miller, Marlon Jordan, James Williams, Christian McBride, Winard Harper, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Coles, Leslie Burrs, Isaac Hayes, Peter Nero, Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Billy Paul, Kenny Barron, Nicholas Payton, Charles Fambrough, Eric Reed, Carl Allen, Terell Stafford, Stefon Harris, Orrin Evans, The Newport Millennium All Stars, "Papa" John Defrancesco, Edgar Bateman, Joey Defrancesco, Claudio Raggazzi, Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets, Trudy Pitts, Dana Hall, and others.

In 1994, he joined bassist and Verve recording artist Christian McBride’s group, where he remained a member until 1999.

Warfield’s first recording, A Cool Blue, was selected as one of the top ten recordings of the year in a 1995 New York Times critic’s poll, as was his 1998 recording Gentle Warrior (featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Tarus Mateen, Clarence Penn, Terell Stafford, and Nicholas Payton), proclaiming him possibly the most powerful tenor saxophonist of his generation.

In 1999, he was awarded "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in DownBeat Magazines 49th Annual Jazz Critics poll.

In the fall of 1999 Warfield exclusively joined forces with New Orleans trumpeter and recording artist Nicholas Payton.

In 2000, alongside crooner Loston Harris, Warfield performed at the MTV GQ Men of the Year Awards in New York City.

In 2006, Warfield joined trumpeter and Maxjazz recording artist Terell Stafford's Quintet.

Warfield has appeared on several GRAMMY-nominated recordings such as Stefon Harris' "The Grand Unification Theory," as well as "Dear Louis" and "Sonic Trance," both under the leadership of trumpeter and New Orleans native, Nicholas Payton.

In July of 2008, featured in the "Playlist" section, Warfield's recording "One For Shirley" dedicated to the legendary organist Shirley Scott, was one of three recordings to receive notable mention in the New York Times.

In August of 2008, Tim was inducted by the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz into their “Jazz Hall of Fame.”

In 2009, Warfield performed in "PARIS 1959", an adaptation of Puccini's "Ill Tabarro", under the direction of producer Tami Swartz, and presented by the Harrisburg Opera Association.

In 2010, his CD "A Sentimental Journey" on the Criss Cross jazz label was selected as a "Critic's Choice" in the New York Times, by Ben Ratliff.

In April of 2011, Tim was awarded a “Key to the City,” and “The Artist Award,” at the first “State of the City,” address by Mayor Kim Bracey of York, PA.

In August of 2011, Warfield was recognized in a listing of Rising Star Tenor saxophonists, in Downbeat Magazine"s Critics Poll.

In December of 2012, Warfield released his CD entitled "Tim Warfield's Jazzy Christmas," on his label Undaunted Music. The recording features an all star cast including, trumpeter Terell Stafford, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianists Cyrus Chestnut, and Neil Podgurski, bassist Rodney Whitaker, drummer Clarence Penn, percussionist Daniel Sadownick, and vocalists Joanna Pascale, and Jamie Davis. The CD, which advanced to slot #25, as the Highest Debut, Most Added, and Biggest Gainer, on the Jazzweek charts in only its second week of release, was showcased among 20 other new holiday recordings, as one of the Best Holiday recordings for 2013, in the New York Times, Holiday Gift Guide.

In the year 2013, Tim released two recordings in one year which included Eye of the Beholder,” released in March on the Criss Cross Jazz label, and features, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Clarence Penn, and "Inspire Me," realeased on the Herb Harris music label in October 2013, and features trumpeter Antoine Drye, Saxophonist and vocalist, Herb Harris, pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Greg Wiliams, and drummer Rodney Green.

In January 2013, Tim also received a “Jazz Legends” award, from Penn State University Harrisburg Campus at their Martin Luther King Commemoration Lecture Series.

Tim's critically acclaimed release on Criss Cross Jazz, titled "Spherical,” dedicated to the iconic piano genius, Thelonious Sphere Monk, was released February 17th, 2015, and features trumpet legend Eddie Henderson, pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Ben Wolfe and drummer Clarence Penn.

On November 7, 2015, The Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts, recognized Tim as “Tenor saxophonist of the Year,” at their annual Clef Club Jazz Awards in Philadelphia.

Tim serves as a board member and “Artistic Director,” for the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz.

In 2013, Tim joined the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, under the direction of Terell Stafford.

Tim is currently an “Artist in Residence” at Messiah College in Grantham, PA.

In May of 2018, Tim was nominated by Governor Tom Wolf and inducted by the Senate as a newly appointed member of the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts.

On July 1st, 2018, Tim received the new position of coordinator of the "Masters of Music in Jazz Studies Program," at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Tim’s recently released recording “Jazzland” on the Criss Cross Jazz label, features trumpeter Terell Stafford, organist Pat Bianchi, drummer Byron Landham and percussionist Daniel Sadownick.

Awards

"Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in DownBeat Magazines 49th Annual Jazz Critics poll in 1999. In August of 2011, Warfield was recognized in the listing of Rising Star Tenor saxophonists, in Downbeat Magazine"s Critics Poll. Tenor Saxophonist of the Year- Philadelphia Clef Club Jazz Awards 2015.

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Rodney Whitaker: Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill

Read "Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill" reviewed by Paul Rauch

by Paul Rauch
February 20, 2025

In their fourth collaboration on Origin Records, bassist and bandleader Rodney Whitaker and Central Michigan composer Gregg Hill strike gold once again, backed by a formidable gathering of musicians. Hill's music has experienced a surge in interest due to his prolific releases on Origin, which have featured musicians in and around the impressive jazz faculty roster at Michigan State University, a program with Whitaker at the helm. Hill's compositions have a notable sound uniquely tied to both urban ...

Liner Notes

Rodney Whitaker: Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill

by Michael Dease
February 15, 2025

At just fifty-six years young, Rodney Whitaker has cemented his legendary status as a sought-after bassist extraordinaire and, arguably the pre-eminent jazz educator of his generation. The Detroit, Michigan native, recently elected to the hallowed ranks of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, that includes such innovators as Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., continues to firmly establish himself as a superb interpreter of original music, notably through his fruitful association with composer Gregg Hill. Mosaic is ...

In Pictures

UNCG Jazz Ensemble I with Tim Warfield

by La-Faithia White
April 30, 2024

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro presented the Miles Davis Jazz Festival which featured the UNCG Jazz Ensemble I with special guest Tim Warfield. UNCG Jazz Ensemble I is regarded as one of the premier jazz ensembles in the nation and the flagship of the Miles Davis Jazz program. The ensemble performs big band arrangements spanning the entire history of jazz, from the 1920's to the modern era. Tim Warfield, a native of York, Pennsylvania began studying the alto ...

Liner Notes

Tim Warfield: One For Shirley

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 20, 2024

Jimmy Smith and Larry Young have continually set the benchmark for creative endeavors involving jazz and the Hammond B-3 organ, Smith being acknowledged for bringing the technical virtuosity of be-bop to the instrument and Young for expanding the vernacular based on the forward-thinking implications of John Coltrane. Somewhere in between these two, a colorful range of styles proliferated throughout the '50s and '60s, from the cocktail jazz of Milt Buckner to the soulful grooves of Big" John Patton. But it ...

Album Review

Terell Stafford: Between Two Worlds

Read "Between Two Worlds" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
September 4, 2023

Family is a major theme on Terell Stafford's Between Two Worlds, with compositions dedicated to his daughter, mother and wife. His band has been playing with him so long they must feel like family too. They include tenor and soprano saxophonist Tim Warfield, pianist Bruce Barth, drummer Johnathan Blake and bassist David Wong. In fact, Wong plays with Stafford every week as part of the renowned Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Percussionist Alex Acuña is the new member of the family.

Album Review

Rodney Whitaker: Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill

Read "Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
January 25, 2023

Oasis is the third time around for bassist Rodney Whitaker and music written by fellow Michigander Gregg Hill, following Common Ground (Origin 82780) and Outrospection (Origin 82819). Personnel is the same as on Common Ground (Terell Stafford, trumpet; Tim Warfield, saxophone; Bruce Barth, piano; Dana Hall, drums; Rockelle Fortin, vocals) with Hall and Fortin returning from Outrospection (on which Fortin is listed as Rockelle Whitaker). Hill's compositions are for the most part firmly grounded in customary post-bop ...

Album Review

Tim Warfield: Spherical: Dedicated to Thelonious Sphere Monk

Read "Spherical: Dedicated to Thelonious Sphere Monk" reviewed by Andrew Luhn

by Andrew Luhn
March 16, 2015

Thelonious Monk tribute albums are certainly nothing new in the jazz world. As early as 1961, Eddie Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Griffin recorded Lookin' at Monk and pianist Bud Powell recorded Portrait of Thelonious. Even while his career was still going strong, Monk's importance as a composer and influence on other jazz musicians was already clear. Today Monk's legendary status as one of jazz's most important figures is still clear. As far as I know, there is no hard data ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Tim Warfield's Jazzy All-Star Christmas, Goran Ivanovic Trio, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
December 14, 2016

This looks like the week when the St. Louis jazz and creative music calendar hits “peak holiday music," with seasonally themed shows taking place every night and/or day for the next seven days. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, December 14 “Tim Warfield's All-Star Jazzy Christmas," will open a four-night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro. A touring holiday-themed production led by the saxophonist and Philadelphia native (pictured), the Philly-centric ensemble includes trumpeter Terell Stafford, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianist Cyrus ...
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Event

Holiday Magic Comes To Baltimore With The Tim Warfield Septet

Source: The Phillips Agency
November 25, 2013

With help from a band of bona fide jazz stars, saxophonist Tim Warfield brings holiday magic to Baltimore with a concert at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on December 22. (Shows at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m will allow Ravens fans time to attend before the big game). The stellar ensemble includes Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Stefon Harris (vibraphone), Clarence Penn (drums), Terell Stafford (trumpet), Rodney Whitaker (bass), and Joanna Pascale (vocals). It’s rare to see so many big names in ...
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Event

Critically acclaimed Jazzman Tim Warfield, brings his "Jazzy" Christmas Show to the Historic Bohemian Caverns

Source: Tim Warfield
November 20, 2011

This holiday season, saxophonist Tim Warfield, will be spreading “good will and cheer," at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington D.C., where for the third consecutive year, he'll perform his “Jazzy" Christmas Show, on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10. Warfield, known for his exciting performances and dark sensuous tone, will showcase some of his clever arrangements to many familiar and a few not so familiar, holiday classics. His group, this performance, will again feature the sultry Philadelphia vocalist Joanna ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz Night at the Michener Museum, featuring Tim Warfield and The Shirley Scott Tribute Band on May 21

Source: Ilene Dube
May 12, 2011

Join us for Jazz Night at the Michener, featuring: Tim Warfield, saxophones Pat Bianchi, organ Terell Stafford, trumpet Byron Landham, drums Daniel Sadownick, percussion Saturday, May 21, 8 to 11 pm Saxophonist and York, PA native, Tim Warfield debuted his latest release, A Sentimental Journey featuring trumpeter, Terell Stafford, organist, Pat Bianchi, and drummer Byron Landham. This established major artist, with a string of fine Criss Cross label releases, has appeared on ...
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Event

Tim Warfield returns to Bohemian Caverns with "Jazzy" Christmas Show

Source: Tim Warfield
December 14, 2010

Tenor saxophonist Tim Warfield and his sextet, will be spreading goodwill and holiday cheer at the Bohemian Caverns this coming weekend. His group will feature the sultry vocalist Joanna Pascale and the adroit young trumpet sensation Philip Dizack. Rounding out the rhythm section will be pianist Neil Podgurski, bassist Madison Rast, and drummer Chris Beck. This event, will showcase Warfield's imaginative arrangements to some classic holiday songs, and is sure to bring warmth to this festive season. Showtimes are at ...
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227

Performance / Tour

Tim Warfield Organ Band with Terrell Stafford in Harrisburg on November 14th

Source: Michael Ricci
October 27, 2010

Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz presents the Tim Warfield Organ Band, with special guest Terrell Stafford on trumpet, live in concert Sunday, November 14th at 6pm. The Tim Warfield Organ Band, with special guest Terrell Stafford is the last of our 2010 monthly concert series sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. We'll celebrate the release of Tim's new CD, A Sentimental Journey (Criss Cross, 2010). A top youth band from an area high school or college will open ...
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232

Recording

Saxophonist Tim Warfield's "A Sentimental Journey" Released May 28, 2010

Source: Michael Ricci
May 28, 2010

Criss Cross Jazz artist, Tim Warfield, introduces a new recording, with a strikingly clever perspective to “classic" repertoire from the Great American Songbook. Reaching as far back as the early 1920's, the music displays an ardent sensuality, and a feeling of history and celebration. A Sentimental Journey features, trumpeter extraordinaire, Terell Stafford, the dynamic Hammond B-3 organist Pat Bianchi, and the perpetual swinger from Philadelphia, drummer Byron Landham.

Assured and gracefully, Warfield and company, navigate through updated arrangements of such ...
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147

Performance / Tour

Tim Warfield Brings Holiday Show to Bohemian Caverns, Featuring Special Guest Stefon Harris, December 11-12

Source: Michael Ricci
November 19, 2009

Tenor saxophonist Tim Warfield will be appearing in Washington, for a very special performance at the Bohemian Caverns. His group will feature a cast of fiery youthful newcomers including trumpeter Tim Thompson, pianist Neil Podgurski, bassist Eric Wheeler, and drummer Chris Beck. Serving as “special" guest, will be his friend and cohort, the critically acclaimed, Stefon Harris on vibraphone. Harris has been heralded as “...one of the most important young artists in jazz". (Los Angeles Times) Warfield and Harris, both ...
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176

Performance / Tour

Tim Warfield Appearing at the Bohemian Caverns July 17 and 18

Source: All About Jazz
July 6, 2009

Critically acclaimed saxophonist Tim Warfield, is returning to Washington D.C. this month with a cast of vibrant musical newcomers, including the electrifying pianist Neil Podgurski, Washington D.C. native and in the pocket bassist Eric Wheeler, and powerhouse drummer Chris Beck. The hefty toned tenor saxophonist known for his swaggering soulful tone, and emphatic style, will be debuting new original compositions, as well as arrangements of some classic standards. Showtime begins at 8:30 p.m. The Bohemian Caverns is located at 2001 ...
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172

Performance / Tour

Saxophonist Tim Warfield Brings Holiday Jazz to Baltimore.

Source: All About Jazz
December 15, 2008

Critically acclaimed saxophonist Tim Warfield, will be appearing for one night only, this Saturday, December 20th, 2008, at Jazzway 6004. Tim will be appearing with a stellar cast of musicians to perform music from his holiday songbook. The group will feature special guests, vocalist Joanna Pascale and the Grammy award winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Jazzway is located at 6004 Hollins Ave, Baltimore, Maryland 21210. Included in this performance is a special holiday menu, ...
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Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

Philadelphia

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Artist in Residence / Messiah College, Grantham, Pa/ Full-time Professor/Saxophone Instructor/Coordinator, Masters of Music in Jazz Studies Program/Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.