Mike Wofford, a pianist and sideman who has appeared on more than 200 recordings, continues to record and perform as a leader. His “Live at Maybeck” volume 18 of the Concord Records solo piano series has been praised. His 2004 Capri Records CD, “Live at Athenaeum jazz”, features Victor Lewis and Peter Washington as bassists. Capri Records released Vol. 2 of “Live at Athenaeum jazz, Vol. 2”, a duo album with Holly Hofmann, was released by Capri in 2007. Wofford is a native Texan and was born in San Diego, California. He currently resides there. His mother was a professional singer and Wofford began learning piano at the age of seven. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 and began his career in the 1960s jazz scene. His first professional performances were with The Lighthouse All-Stars as well as the bands of Red Norvo and Chet Baker. He recorded his first jazz recordings with Gary Burton, Mel Torme and Joe Pass during this period. His first albums were also recorded by him on Epic and Discovery. In the late 1960s, Wofford was a free-lance session musician in Los Angeles recording TV soundtracks and motion pictures. On TV shows such as “The Bill Cosby show” with Quincy Jones, Wofford was the staff pianist and first-call pianist at Universal Pictures for Oliver Nelson. He also worked at Capitol Records and wrote for artists such as Sergio Mendes and the Mike Barone Big Band. Wofford began a long-lasting association with Shelly Manne, who played and recorded with Manne’s various bands over the years. Mike was a member of the Shelly Manne/LeeKonitz Quartet and then toured Europe as a pianist and music director for Sarah Vaughan. He returned to Japan with Shelly Manne and Harry “Sweets”, Edison, Eddie “Lockjaw”, Davis, and Zoot SIMS, as well as the Benny Carter Orchestra. The Benny Carter Quartet also took him to Brazil. He became Ella Fitzgerald’s pianist and music director in 1989. During this period, he was also the house pianist at San Diego’s national jazz clubs Elario’s Hotel and Horton Grand Hotel. He performed at these venues with many jazz legends, including Charlie Haden and Art Farmer. Slide Hampton and Ray Brown were also among them. He currently tours and performs with his own bands and with Holly Hofmann, his wife and flutist. He also arranges for the string orchestra that focuses on the music and compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Ellington/Strayhorn. He is still a highly sought-after pianist in jazz and continues to work with artists such as Phil Woods (Kenny Burrell), Phil Mahogany (Charles McPherson), Houston Person (Kevin Mahogany), Phil Woods (Phil Woods), Kenny Burrell, Kenny Burrell, Benny Golson). Benny Golson said that Mike is “the essence of jazz piano.” He is the essence of a jazz pianist in his purest and most concentrated form.” Of Mike, Shelly Manne said, “[He] is outstanding…a musician’s pianist….He inspires as he plays.” from http://caprirecords.com
