Earth, Wind & Fire sax player Andrew Woolfolk dies at 71

Earth, Wind & Fire saxophonist Andrew Woolfolk — famous for his soaring solos — has died at 71.

Singer Philip Bailey broke the news of Woolfolk’s death on Instagram Monday.

“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.” Bailey wrote. “He has Transitioned on to the forever, from this Land of the dying to the Land of the Living.”

Andrew Woolfolk of Earth, Wind & Fire on March 17, 1982, at Wembley Arena. (Solomon NJie/)

Woolfolk died Sunday after a long illness, according to his online obituary.

The sax player and Bailey both joined the jazzy, funky R&B band around 1972 and played together on hits songs including “September” and “Shining Star.”

Bailey wrote that he has great memories of his friend and bandmate, who he described as a “great talent” with a sense of humor who was also “competitive” and “quick witted.” Perhaps just as importantly, he described the Texas native as “always styling.”

CNN reports that Woolfolk was studying music in New York when Bailey asker him to join up with Earth, Wind & Fire, which was founded in Chicago. In his memoir, Bailey reportedly remembered Woolfolk as a “jolly prankster” who kept things interesting on tour.

The band would win six Grammy Awards.

Earth, Wind & Fire, from left, Johnny Grahm, Larry Dunn, Andrew Woolfolk, Al McKay, Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Freddy White, Ralph Johnson. (Gems/)

“Booski … I’ll see you on the other side, my friend,” Bailey concluded.

Woolfolk brought his sax sounds to records by other artists, including Deniece Williams and Phil Collins.

Music producer Brandon Williams also had high praise for Woolfolk.

“One of my absolute favorites because he made every note count,” Williams said. “You may not know his face or his name, but he was an integral part of THE sound.”