“Jazz piano has rarely sounded as artful, or as rewarding for listeners, as when Mike Wofford is playing.” – Thomas Burns
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.
Regular:
$25
Senior/Student/Military:
$22.50
Free to all Students with valid ID
Free parking
Phone: 949-480-4278
Email: tickets@soka.edu
2022/11/19 - 2022/11/19
Soka Performing Arts Center
1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656