Mike Wofford

Despite leading several recording times under his personal name, pianist, composer, and arranger Mike Wofford was better referred to as a consummate accompanist, financing his skills towards the music of such giants as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Benny Carter. A indigenous of San Antonio, TX, Wofford grew up in NORTH PARK, CA, and obtained his first professional experience in the famed Lighthouse golf club in close by Hermosa Seaside. There he used famous brands Wayne Moody, and afterwards enlisted using the rings of Shelly Manne and Shorty Rogers; on the years to arrive, he also proved helpful together with Zoot Sims, Joe Move, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Bud Shank, and countless others. While currently a respected amount in jazz circles on the effectiveness of such solo schedules as 1966’s Strawberry Wines and the next year’s Summer Evening, Wofford’s visibility grew up significantly in 1979 when he, longtime friend and drummer Roy McCurdy, and bassist Andy Simpkins had been tapped to back again Sarah Vaughan. Wofford continued to be with the renowned singer for approximately a year, of which period he exited to pursue various other projects, included in this many recordings of Jerome Kern criteria. By 1988, he was frequently executing with Benny Carter, along with a calendar year later made an appearance on ALL OF THAT Jazz, the ultimate studio documenting from Ella Fitzgerald. After touring with Fitzgerald until her 1994 pension, Wofford agreed upon on with Kenny Rankin; sometimes, he also continuing leading his very own sessions.