Pianist Mike Wofford's album is the most complete look so far at a protean player who has had a small, enthusiastic following for more than 30 years. Here's what I wrote in a 1967 review of his first album, Strawberry Wine (Epic BN 26225): "[This is] an excellent piano player who is much under the spell of Bill Evans.There are some tracks on which Wofford's individuality shows. His approach includes humor, a quality many musicians his age have avoided like the plague." That was then. Now Wofford's individuality shows on every track of Synergy. He has long since melded Evans into a style notable for daring, thoroughgoing musicianship and, yes, humor. This CD provides generous exposure to a musician who makes equal use of brain, heart and muscle. What he still has in common with Evans is a concept of the trio as an interdependent unit. Joe LaBarbera, Evans' last drummer, naturally supports that idea and interacts superbly with Wofford and bassist Rob Thorsen. Listeners who accep! t Wofford's challenges can expect rewards, whether in "My Old Flame," a familiar jazz standard like Gerald Wiggins' "Sonar," Ellington's "Great Times" or Wofford's own intricate compositions. This album is highly recommended.
Product Description
The best trio project to date by journeyman jazz pianist Mike Wofford. A full 74" disc of one of the music world's best kept secrets.
SYNERGY
SYNERGY,Mike Wofford,Heavywood Records,Hard Bop,Jazz,Pop,The great jazz pianist stretching out on his own material.
Jazz Music:
- The Architect
- The Best of Paul Whiteman: The Columbia Years
- The Blue Note & Capitol Years [Original recording remastered] [Import]
- The Classical Jazz Quartet Plays Bach
- The Entire Time
- The Fabulous Glenn Miller Orchestra [Import]
- The Legendary Dial Masters, Vol. 1
- The New Sticktet: The Answer's Inside
- The Path
- The Way You Look Tonight
Jazz Music
Meant to Live [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
Busoni: Preludes Op37/1-24; Bliss: Sonata for piano Op72
Boogie Nights: The Best of Disco