Mike Wofford

Although he helmed numerous sessions under his own leadership, pianist, composer, and arranger Mike Wofford earned wider acclaim for his masterful supporting role alongside such jazz luminaries as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Benny Carter. Born in San Antonio, Texas, Wofford grew up in San Diego, California, where his first steady work came at the storied Lighthouse venue in Hermosa Beach. There he performed alongside James Moody before joining the ensembles of Shelly Manne and Shorty Rogers; in subsequent years he also collaborated with Zoot Sims, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Bud Shank, and many additional artists. Already esteemed within jazz circles for his own recordings—among them the 1966 album Strawberry Wine and the 1967 follow-up Summer Night—Wofford gained broader attention in 1979 when longtime associate Roy McCurdy on drums and bassist Andy Simpkins joined him to accompany Sarah Vaughan. He remained with the singer for roughly twelve months before turning to other endeavors, including several sets devoted to Jerome Kern compositions. By 1988 he was appearing regularly with Benny Carter, and the next year he contributed to All That Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald’s final studio album. After touring with Fitzgerald through her retirement in 1994, Wofford joined Kenny Rankin while still occasionally leading dates of his own.