A native Texan, Mike Wofford was raised in San Diego, California, where he resides currently. His mother was a professional singer, and he started 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. Mike's 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 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 Clifford Jordan, among many others. Having appeared on over a hundred recordings as a sideman, Mike now continues to record primarily as a leader.