Holly Hofmann With Mike Wofford, Katie Thiroux & Jeff Hamilton

Holly Hofmann
Trying to define the jazz flutist is like trying to define the word jazz. The public’s knowledge of the flute as a jazz instrument seems to range between the acquired taste of the avant-garde and the abyss known as pop-jazz. Holly Hofmann clearly defines the jazz flute. Her robust tone is the result of a rich classical background. Critics have labeled Hofmann the most authoritative, swinging flutist in jazz today. In addition to performing throughout the world, she also composes music, conducts clinics and workshops, and books a number of jazz concert series. Holly Hofmann is proof that the flute no longer plays second fiddle to any horn in jazz.

“Holly Hofmann is an energetic, swinging, straight-ahead jazz flautist who has been performing for over thirty years.”—AllAboutJazz.com

Mike Wofford
Having played on over two hundred recordings as a sideman, jazz pianist Mike Wofford now continues to record and perform primarily as a bandleader. In 1989, he became the pianist and music director for Ella Fitzgerald until her retirement in 1992. He was also the house pianist during this time at two well-known San Diego jazz clubs, Elario’s and the Horton Grand Hotel. At these venues, he performed with such legendary jazz figures as Art Farmer, Charlie Haden, Barney Kessel, and Ray Brown. Wofford continues to be one of the most in-demand pianists in jazz, having played and recorded with Bobby Watson, Jeff Hamilton, Charles McPherson, Joe Henderson, Kevin Mahogany, James Moody, Phil Woods, Kenny Burrell, and Benny Golson, as well as duo-piano appearances with Kenny Werner and Pete Malinverni.

Katie Thiroux
Rising star bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux gained international acclaim after being a semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition (2015) and being featured on WBGO’s The Checkout (2015), as weel as for the release of her debut album, Introducing Katie Thiroux (2015), which received Debut Record of the Year from the Huffington Post and Top 5 Debut Records of the Year from the 2015 NPR Jazz Critics Poll. Recent feature performances with her quartet include at the Juneau Jazz and Classics festival, the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, and the Kitano in New York City.

Jeff Hamilton
Jeff Hamilton is constantly in demand, whether he is recording or performing with his trio, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, or the Clayton Brothers, or coleading the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Hamilton’s recording It’s Hamilton Time received enormous airplay while reaching number five on the Gavin national jazz radio chart. His trio’s second release, Jeff Hamilton Trio–LIVE!, was nominated by critics for the best jazz recording in Germany in 1997. In addition to his many recordings with Ray Brown, Hamilton has been on nearly two hundred recordings with artists such as Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Streisand, Mel Tormé, and John Pizzarelli.