Mike Wofford

About

American jazz pianist, born 28 February 1938 in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Died September 19, 2025 in San Diego, California. He was known in the jazz community going back to the 1960s for the albums Strawberry Wine and Summer Night. He settled in Los Angeles and performed with Shorty Rogers, Teddy Edwards, Bud Shank, Red Norvo, Chet Baker, Joe Pass, Quincy Jones, Oliver Nelson, Shelly Manne, and Zoot Sims. In the 1970s Wofford toured Europe with Manne and Lee Konitz, in the 1980s Japan with Manne, Sweets Edison, and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, and Japan and Brazil with Benny Carter. Returning to San Diego, he performed with Kenny Burrell, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Charlie Haden, Slide Hampton, Clifford Jordan, Ray Brown, and Charles McPherson. Wofford worked on John Lennon's album Rock 'n' Roll (1975) and in 1973 briefly toured with Roger McGuinn of the Byrds. On August 13, 2012, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd Annual San Diego Music Awards.