Mike Wofford

Mike Wofford (born February 28, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas), is a jazz pianist who was raised in San Diego, California. He is best known as an accompanist to and music director for singers Sarah Vaughan (in the 1970s), Ella Fitzgerald (1989–1992). 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 he 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. He 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.