April 9, 2005

ARTSERVE
1350 EAST SUNRISE BLVD.
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA  33304

HOLLY HOFMANN

Trying to define the jazz flutist is like trying to define the word jazz. The public’s knowledge of the flute as a jazz instrument seems to range between the acquired taste of the avant-garde and the abyss known as the pop-jazz craze. Holly Hofmann clearly defines the jazz flute. Her robust tone is the result of a rich classical background. Critics and fans have labeled Holly the most authoritative, swinging flutist in jazz today.

When Holly isn’t touring the globe she makes her home in San Diego, California where she’s enjoyed a long association with pianist Mike Wofford and bassist Bob Magnusson. She has nine critically acclaimed recordings as a leader and co-leads the new sextet Flutology, featuring fellow flutists Frank Wess and Ali Ryerson, with Mike Wofford, Peter Washington and Ben Riley. Her new Quartet recording has just been released on Capri Records and features several compositions honoring legendary bassist Ray Brown with whom Holly performed in the United States and Europe during the last two years of his life. Some of her other notable collaborations include Kenny Barron, Slide Hampton, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, Bobby Shew and Jane Monheit. She also tours extensively in a jazz and classical duo with pianist Bill Cunliffe. Ray Brown called them "the most dynamic duo in jazz." Certainly a major cause of that statement is the joy Holly feels in the music and communicates so well from the stage, drawing in and exciting both knowledgeable jazz fans and new listeners to the genre.

MIKE WOFFORD

A native Texan, pianist Mike Wofford was raised in San Diego, California, where he resides currently. His mother was a professional singer, and he began piano lessons at age seven. After attending San Diego State University, he moved to Los Angeles and entered the jazz scene there during the early 1960s.

His first professional performances were with the legendary Lighthouse All-Stars and the bands of Shelly Manne, Teddy Edwards, Chet Baker, Bud Shank and Shorty Rogers. It was during this time that he appeared on his first jazz recordings, with Mel Torme, Gary Burton and Joe Pass. Also, while becoming active as a studio session pianist and arranger, he recorded his first album as a leader.

In the 1970s, Mike toured Europe with Shelly Manne and Lee Konitz, and subsequently became the pianist and music director for Sarah Vaughan. His most active touring schedule began in the early 1980s with tours in Japan with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and Zoot Sims. In 1988 Mike returned to Japan with the Benny Carter Orchestra and in the fall of that same year traveled to Brazil with the Benny Carter Quartet. In 1989 he became pianist and music director for Ella Fitzgerald until her retirement in 1992. He was also the house pianist in the during this time at San Diego’s two national jazz clubs, Elario’s and the Horton Grand Hotel. At these venues he performed with Kenny Burrell, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Charlie Haden and Slide Hampton, James Moody, Charles McPherson and Ray Brown among many others.