Andrew Woolfolk, saxophone player with Earth, Wind & Fire, has died at the age of 71.
The news broke on Monday (April 25) after Woolfolk's bandmate, Phillip Bailey, shared on social media that he'd passed away after a long illness.
He wrote: "I met him in High School, and we quickly became friends and band mates. Andrew Paul Woolfolk was his name. We lost him today, after being ill of over 6 years.
"He has Transitioned on to the forever, from this Land of the dying to the Land of the Living. Great memories. Great Talent. Funny. Competitive. Quickwitted. And always styling. Booski… I’ll see you on the other side, my friend."
Woolfolk was born October 11, 1950, in Texas but moved to Colorado where he later met Bailey. After the departure of saxophonist/flutist Ronnie Laws, Bailey recruited Woolfolk to join Earth, Wind & Fire in 1973.
Credit: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo
As per Rolling Stone, before the saxophonist joined, the group had minor success after the release of a couple of albums and performing the soundtrack for Melvin Van Peebles’ Blaxploitation classic Sweet Sweetback’s 'Baadasssss Song.'
Woolfolk's first record with the group was 1973's Head to the sky which became their first album to go platinum. He was a part of the group's run of remarkable hits throughout the seventies such as ‘September,’ ‘Shining Star,’ and ‘Boogie Wonderland.’
Besides the Soprano Saxophone, he also played flute and percussion for the group.
He played with them until 1985 and then re-joined the band after they returned from a break in 1987. He then played with them again until 1993.
During Earth, Wind & Fire's break, the saxophonist began playing on other artists' albums. He played with artists such as Deniece Williams, Ricky Lawson, Level 42, Stanley Turrentine, and Valerie Carter.
Woolfolk also appeared on Bailey's albums including 1984’s 'The Wonders of His' and the 1986 album 'Triumph'. And he also performed on Phil Collins' 1996 album 'Dance Into the Light.' He joined Collins on the road and appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1996, which was released in 2004.
Woolfolk was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Earth, Wind, & Fire in 2000.
Our thoughts go out to Woolfolk's family, friends, and band at this time.
