Mike Wofford

Mike Wofford ( born February 25, 1938 in San Antonio / Texas) is an American jazz pianist.

Wofford grew up in San Diego / California, and had his first professional gigs with James Moody Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach, and later belonged to the bands of Shelly Manne and Shorty Rogers. He worked in the following years with musicians like Zoot Sims, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Harry "Sweets " Edison, Eddie " Cleanhead " Vinson and Bud Shank.

In 1979 he accompanied the singer Sarah Vaughan; later he performed with Benny Carter. In 1989 he took part in All That Jazz, the last studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, with whom he toured until 1992; also he accompanied with his quartet singer Lorez Alexandria. He then became a member of the band by Kenny Rankin. As the house pianist of jazz clubs Elario 's and Horton Grand Hotel in San Diego, he has appeared with Kenny Burrell, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Charlie Haden, Slide Hampton, Clifford Jordan and Ray Brown on. He leads his own bands and is co-leader of a quartet with his wife, flutist Holly Hofmann. In 2000, he played in a trio with Anthony Ortega and Joe LaBarbera ( Scattered Clouds ).

Discography

• Strawberry Wine by John Doling, John Guerin, 1966
• Sure Thing by Tom Azarello, Monty Budwig, John Guerin, Jim Plank, Andy Simpkins, 1967
• Summer Night with Monty Budwig, John Guerin, 1967
• Scott Joplin: Interpretations '76 with Chuck Domanico, Shelly Manne, 1976
• Afterthoughts, solo album, 1978
• Mike Wofford Trio Plays Jerome Kern with Jim Plank, Andy Simpkins, 1980
• Mike Wofford Quartet Plays Jerome Kern, Vol 2 by Jim Plank, Andy Simpkins, 1980
• Plays Jerome Kern, Vol 3 by Jim Plank, Andy Simpkins, 1981
• Funkallero with Sherman Ferguson, Andy Simpkins, Paul Sundford, 1987
• Listens Gerald Wilson Gerald 's Peoplet with Richie Gajate Garcia, Rufus Reid, 1988
• Synergy with Joe LaBarbera, Rob Thorsen, 1998
• Mike Wofford / Holly Hofmann Quintet: Turn Signal, 2011