Holly Hofmann-Mike Wofford Quartet

Holly Hofmann has been called “the most authoritative, swinging flutist in jazz today.” Hofmann was five when she started playing jazz and after earning degrees in classical flute studies, she returned to jazz full-time. She studied with Frank Wess and Slide Hampton in New York and collaborated with Lionel Hampton, Mundell Lowe, James Moody, Cedar Walton, Regina Carter, and the late bass legend Ray Brown. Hofmann also spent time in San Diego working with bassist Bob Magnusson and her now-husband, pianist Mike Wofford at the Horton Grand Hotel where she booked a four night national jazz program that ran from 1989-1996, presenting hundreds of jazz artists from Diana Krall to Cassandra Wilson to Joe Henderson. Hofmann and Wofford married in 2000 and from 2002-06 they toured and recorded with Flutology, with Frank Wess and Ali Ryerson. Currently living in San Diego, in 2007 they recorded a duo CD, Live at the Athenaeum. Pianist, Mike Wofford, has appeared on over a hundred recordings as a sideman and leader. He continues to be one of the most in-demand sidemen and arrangers in jazz. This year alone he’s worked with Charles McPherson, Kevin Mahogany, Houston Person, Joe LaBarbera, James Moody, Phil Woods, Frank Wess and Red Holloway. He has received critical acclaim for his solo piano series, Live at Maybeck, and was deemed “one of the outstanding pianists of our time” by Downbeat Magazine. Early in his career, Wofford performed with the legendary Lighthouse All-Stars and the bands of Shelly Manne, Teddy Edwards, Chet Baker, Bud Shank and Shorty Rogers. In the 1970s, he was pianist and music director for Sarah Vaughan also touring with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Zoot Sims and the Benny Carter Orchestra. In 1989, he became pianist and music director for Ella Fitzgerald until her retirement in 1992. Benny Golson called him, “… the essence of a jazz pianist in the purest and most concentrated form.” Accompanying Hofmann and Wofford are New Mexico’s own talented rhythm section stalwarts, Michael Olivola, bass; and John Trentacosta, drums.

$22/$17 Members & Students. Available in advance, by phone or in person, at the Outpost Performance Space (268-0044)

The Hofmann-Wofford Quartet will also perform in Santa Fe at the Friends of
Santa Fe Jazz, Friday, April 11. For info, contact lee217@comcast.net.