eMusic Review 0
Occasionally I’ll play Wofford for friends, savvy listeners who, nevertheless, don’t know him. Invariably, I’ll hear, “Who is this guy? He’s fantastic.” It’s surprising how completely he has fallen through the mainstream cracks. With his lean but elegant tone, understated but creative phrasing, and reassuring but advanced chordal sense, Mike Wofford has gone his quiet way for the past 50 or so years, a better jazz pianist than nearly everyone else on the planet. It’s Personal again shows him blending stylistic elements of Bill Evans, Bud Powell and Art Tatum to form to a singular voice.
Like fellow under-appreciated counterpart Claire Fisher, some of this anonymity can be attributed to having spent a lot of time laboring in recording studios, doing other people’s projects. But there’s also a fundamental modesty to the way Wofford plays. He’s got incredible technique, but he delivers it in the least flag-waving way possible. And he finds elements in tunes that are often overlooked. By slowing down Jackie McLean’s “Little Melonae,” he makes it less edgy and more melancholy than most renditions. This gives him opportunities to do more than run the changes. Every line counts, every line is chiseled. “Springsville,” which will be forever… read more »
