MIKE WOFFORD (pianist, bandleader) Texas born and San Diego raised Wofford has appeared on over 200 recordings as sideman and several as leader. Early career highlights included performances with Lighthouse All Stars, Red Norvo, Chet Baker and Bud Shank. A busy studio musician in the 1960s, Wofford had a long association with drummer Shelly Manne who described him as “outstanding, a musician’s pianist….he inspires as he plays”. Wofford was accompanist and music director for Sarah Vaughn and later Ella Fitgerald.