Richard "Wolfie" Wolf is an American Emmy Award-winning film and television composer, multi-platinum-selling music producer, songwriter, remixer, and author."'Sesame', 'Ellen' Top Creative Emmys". Daily Variety. 17 May 2004.
Wolf began his career as a singer/songwriter before becoming a staff writer for Warner/Chappell Music. He later worked in film music and record production prior to focusing on television and film composition. Since 2015, he has been a faculty member at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music."Richard Wolf | USC Thornton School of Music". Music.usc.edu.
Early life and career Wolf was born in Manhattan, New York. While still a college freshman, he signed his first recording agreement with Quinn Ivy Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where he worked with the studio guitarist and co-writer Wayne Perkins. He subsequently became a staff songwriter at Warner/Chappell Music, where his compositions were recorded by artists including Steve Cropper, Angela Bofill, Johnny Gill, and Toni Basil.Widran, Jonathan (14 April 1991). "Hot Picks". Music Connection.
Record production In 1989, Wolf formed the production team Wolf & Epic with Bret "Epic" Mazur.Kimpel, Dan (27 March 2005). "Who Really Produced That Record". Music Connection. The duo has been described as one of the notable production teams emerging from the early 1990s Los Angeles hip hop and R&B crossover scene.Heller, Jerry; Reavill, Gil (2006). Ruthless: A Memoir. Simon Spotlight Entertainment. ISBN 978-1-4169-1792-2. Their early work included Laquan's Notes of a Native Son, which incorporated live instrumentation with hip hop production techniques.Pareles, Jon (6 December 1990). "'Radical' Rap: Of Pride and Prejudice". The New York Times.
Wolf & Epic contributed to Bell Biv DeVoe's certified multi-platinum Poison (1990) and its remix counterpart WBBD-Bootcity!, which was certified gold. The album has been described in retrospective critical coverage as helping to blur the boundaries between hip hop and R&B.Frederick, Brendan. "Bell Biv DeVoe: Poison." Pitchfork. July 29, 2018. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/bell-biv-devoe-poison/
Among Wolf's additional production and remix credits are collaborations with MC Lyte, Coolio, New Edition, Freddie Mercury, and Prince.
Film and television Wolf began working in film in the mid-1980s, contributing music to Back to School, The Karate Kid Part II, and Madonna's Who's That Girl.Kimpel, Dan (2005). "Richard Wolf's Sonic Chemistry". The Hollywood Reporter. His later film work includes Presumed Innocent, Robocop (2014) and Three Kings.Farinella, David John (1 January 2002). "Composer Spotlight: Richard Wolf". Mix.
He composed the score for the Warner Bros. animated series Static Shock (2000–2004), which Mix Magazine described as "hip hop and electronic elements with orchestral scoring".Crisafulli, Chuck (20 August 2002). "Sophisticated Kids". The Hollywood Reporter. The work received Daytime Emmy nominations in 2003 and 2004 and won in 2004.
Wolf has also composed music for television including work used in NCIS, America's Next Top Model, and Fox Sports beginning in 1999.Longwell, Todd (27 February 2008). "Music on 'Top Model' elevates the drama". The Hollywood Reporter.Callaghan, Dylan (11 November 2003). "Brand Royale". The Hollywood Reporter. Fall Film and TV Music. Archived PDF: https://www.richardwolf.net/_files/ugd/6da5b8_1cc034de2348411ca6797896e8245db2.pdf
Academics and writing Wolf joined the faculty of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in 2015. His teaching focuses on music in media and the relationship between musical practice and mindfulness."Mindfulness in Music". Dailytrojan.com.
He is the author of In Tune: Music as the Bridge to Mindfulness (2019), which examines connections between musical training and mindfulness practices.Wolf, Richard (2019). In Tune: Music As The Bridge To Mindfulness. The Experiment. The book was discussed in The New Yorker.Hsu, Hua (31 May 2019). "The Noises That We Try Not to Hear". The New Yorker.
Personal life Wolf serves as a board member of the I Have a Dream Foundation, where he oversees a program that brings music and mindfulness education to underserved schools."I Have A Dream Foundation". Ihadla.org.
Discography
Year Album Artist Role2016Messenger of the Gods: The SinglesFreddie MercuryAdditional Production, Mixing 2005 Donde Quiera Que Estes The Barrio Boyzz Arranger, Composer, Producer
2002 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Bell Biv DeVoe Bell Biv DeVoe Composer, Producer2001Soulblitz All StarsCoolioComposer, Producer 2001 Spirit of Funk
Composer, Producer
2001 The Very Best of MC Lyte MC Lyte Composer, Producer
2000 The Best of Bell Biv DeVoe Bell Biv DeVoe Composer, Producer
2000 The Best of the Barrio Boyzz The Barrio Boyzz Composer, Producer
1997 12 Super Exitos The Barrio Boyzz Composer, Producer
1994 12 Exitos Quemantes, Vol. 2
Composer, Producer
1994 Face the Music New Kids on the Block Producer, Composer
1994 Thought 'Ya Knew CeCe Peniston Composer, Drum Programming, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer
1993 Hootie Mack Bell Biv DeVoe Arranger, Composer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
1992 Crazy Coolin' The Barrio Boyzz Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocal Arrangement
1992 Eyes Are the Soul MC Lyte Composer, Producer
1992 Love for the Future Nona Gaye Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano
1992 Return of the Product MC Serch Composer, Producer, Songwriter
1992 The Great Pretender Freddie Mercury Producer
1991 Act Like You Know MC Lyte Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer, Vocal Arrangement
1991 Crazy Seal Remixing1991Horny PonyPrinceAdditional production, Remixing 1991 Lyte Years MC Lyte Composer, Producer
1991 Strictly Business
Producer, Songwriter
1991 WBBD-Bootcity! The Remix Album Bell Biv DeVoe Arranger, Composer, Guitar, Keyboards
1991 Wake Up the Party The Don Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer
1991 What Comes Naturally Sheena Easton Arranger, Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
1990 Notes of a Native Son Laquan Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Organ, Vibraphone
1990 Poison Bell Biv DeVoe Composer, Multi Instruments
1990 Ralph Tresvant Ralph Tresvant Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals (Background)1990The Rebirth Of CoolLaquanComposer, Producer 1989 Annie Haslam Annie Haslam Composer
1987 Who's That Girl Madonna Songwriter, Producer
1986 Back to School
Performer, Primary Artist, Producer
1986 The Best of Angela Bofill [Arista] Angela Bofill Composer
1986 The Karate Kid, Pt. 2
Composer, Producer
1985 Chemistry Johnny Gill Composer, Songwriter
1983 Teaser Angela Bofill Composer
1982 Hungry Nights Tom Snow Composer
1939|Reckless Love Crimson Tide Unknown Contributor Role
References
External links
All Music