Nov 19 2022
Jazz Legend | Mike Wofford: Celebrating Mike Wofford's Artistic Glory

Jazz Legend | Mike Wofford: Celebrating Mike Wofford's Artistic Glory

Presented by Soka Performing Arts Center at Soka Performing Arts Center

Subscribers to our Jazz Monsters Series  can see this show for free.  Please contact the Box Office at tickets@soka.edu or 949-480-4278 to recieve this offer.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Mike Wofford grew up in San Diego, California where he began piano lessons at the age of seven. He later studied briefly with a local jazz piano teacher, Bill Franks, an admirer of Teddy Wilson, who primarily emphasized harmonic creativity in improvising rather than technique. Wofford is otherwise self-taught and was first influenced by hearing recordings of Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver.

Mike began his professional career recording with Slim Gaillard in 1961. That same year he also joined Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All-stars. In 1962 Wofford became a member of Shorty Rogers and his Giants and also recorded with Mel Torme on the album “Comin’ Home Baby.” While becoming active in the Los Angeles jazz club scene, he also toured with vocalist June Christy as her accompanist in 1963, and recorded with vibraphonist Gary Burton in drummer Larry Bunker’s quartet.

Wofford’s first trio album under his own name, “Strawberry Wine,” on Epic Records was released in 1964 and he was subsequently asked to join Shelly Manne’s quintet at Shelly’s Manne-hole in Hollywood. His musical relationship with Manne would continue until the drummer’s passing in 1984.

This event is presented in partnership with BluePort Jazz.

Admission Info

Regular:
$25
Senior/Student/Military:
$22.50

Free to all Students with valid ID 
Free parking

Phone: 949-480-4278

Email: tickets@soka.edu

Dates & Times

2022/11/19 - 2022/11/19

Location Info

Soka Performing Arts Center

1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656