Andrew Woolfolk
Andrew Paul Woolfolk II (October 11, 1950[1] – April 24, 2022) was an American saxophonist. Woolfolk was a longtime member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire from 1973 to 1985, and from 1987 to 1993. He also collaborated with artists such as Deniece Williams, Stanley Turrentine, Phil Collins, Twennynine, Philip Bailey, and Level 42.[2][3]
Andrew Woolfolk
Andrew Paul Woolfolk II
October 11, 1950
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
April 24, 2022 (aged 71)
Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Saxophonist
- Saxophone
- flute
- percussion
1973–2022
Biography[edit]
Woolfolk attended East High School in Denver, Colorado. In 1972 he joined the band Earth, Wind & Fire as a saxophonist and became a longstanding member. Woolfolk was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Earth, Wind & Fire in 2000.[4] In 2017, Woolfolk was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.[2]
Woolfolk died on April 24, 2022, after a long illness.[5]
Collaborations[edit]
Aside from his work with EW&F, Woolfolk played the saxophone on Valerie Carter's 1977 album Just a Stone's Throw Away, Deniece Williams' 1977 LP Song Bird, Twennynine's 1979 album Best of Friends, and Stanley Turrentine's 1981 LP Tender Togetherness.[3][6]
He later performed on Level 42's 1983 album Standing in the Light, Philip Bailey's 1984 Grammy-nominated LP The Wonders of His Love, and Bailey's 1986 Grammy-winning album Triumph.[3][7][8][9]
Woolfolk also played the saxophone on Tracie Spencer's 1988 self titled album and on Phil Collins' 1996 album Dance Into the Light.[3]