The Holly Hofmann/Mike Wofford Quartet is a world class group that will perform a mix of classical and jazz music, entitled, “Bach, Be-Bop, and Blues. Based in San Diego, the talented husband and wife music team of flutist Holly Hofmann and pianist Mike Wofford will be joined by Idyllwild bassist Marshall Hawkins, and drummer Duncan Moore of San Diego.  Flutist Holly Hofmann began playing flute at the age of 5, and has made the flute a front-line instrument from classical music to jazz music.  Hofmann plays bluesy, be-bop based improvisations with classical roots with great technical prowess.  One of the most authoritative and swinging flutists in jazz today, Holly completed her studies at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy with Cleveland Orchestra’s principal flutist, Maurice Sharp. Hofmann received her B.A. in music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Graduate Degree from the University of Northern Colorado.  Later moving to San Diego, Holly recorded with Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson, and Sherman Ferguson.  Hofmann has worked with James Moody, Slide Hampton, Mundell Lowe, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, and many top names in jazz.  For 7 years Holly has hosted a 4 night a week National Jazz Program at the Horton Grand Hotel, presenting 100’s of Nationally acclaimed artists like Diana Krall, Cassandra Wilson, Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton, and Joe Henderson.  Hofmann recorded several albums with pianist Bill Cunliffe and toured the U.S. with Ray Brown’s Trio, making appearances at Birdland and the Village Vanguard.  This was a turning point in Holly’s career.  She then married pianist Mike Wofford, and together they have played in various quartet settings.  The couple recorded “Flutology” with an all-star sextet, featuring flutists Frank West and Ali Ryerson at the Kennedy Center, receiving top praise.  Next the duo of Hofmann and Wofford recorded a brilliant album with trumpeter Terrell Stafford , and a one of a kind album with bassist John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton, and guitarist Anthony Wilson. The San Diego Union Tribune reported, their performance “is a seamless balance of note perfect accuracy and in the moment fluidity.”  In addition to performing, Holly teaches jazz and flute, conducts master classes at schools and universities around the country, is on the Board of Directors for the Keynote Jazz Foundation, and holds concerts and clinics in high schools and middle schools in the U.S.. Hofmann has 12 recordings as a leader, and is recognized as one of the premiere Jazz Flutists in the world.  Alto sax great Phil Woods said, “along with Hubert Laws, Holly is frankly the best jazz flute player today.”  She has become the standard by which jazz flute is judged.

Pianist, composer, and arranger Mike Wofford, musical partner and husband of flutist Holly Hofmann, began playing the piano at the age of 7. Wofford learned harmonic creativity over technique from his piano teacher Bill Franks, who was an admirer of pianist Teddy Wilson.  Primarily self taught, Wofford was influenced by Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver.  Mike’s first recording was with Slim Gaillard in 1961, and then he joined Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All-Stars. In 1962, Wofford joined Shorty Rogers and his Giants, recorded with Mel Torme, and was active in the L.A. Jazz Club Scene.  In 1963, Mike toured with June Christy, and recorded with vibist Gary Burton and the Larry Bunker Quartet.  Wofford recorded his first trio album in 1964, then joined Shelly Manne’s Quintet, playing at Shelly’s Manne Hole in Hollywood for the next 20 years.  Mike also became an in demand free-lance studio pianist, working on T.V., Film scoring, and recordings. Wofford worked with most of the best pop and jazz artists of the time.  Twice, Mike toured with Sarah Vaughn, as her conductor and pianist, and worked the same for Ella Fitzgerald for 5 years.  Wofford has performed and recorded with many contemporary jazz artists, with Holly Hofmann as a duo, quartet, and with  string orchestras.  Mike was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd Annual San Diego Music Awards.  Wofford has 15 recordings as a leader, 17 as a sideman, and has played with over 15 different jazz groups.  Mike Wofford is a consummate accompanist, and Down Beat magazine recognized him as “one of the outstanding artists of our time.”

Bassist and multi-instrumentalist, Marshall Hawkins, grew up in the Anacostia district of Washington, D.C. in a house, full of music.  Marshall’s mother’s love of the Classics introduced him to the music of Bach, Verde, and Puccini, as well as the music of Nat Cole, Charlie Parker, and Jimmy Lunceford.  In 1964, Marshall started playing the bass, and worked with blues vocalist Betty Gray.  He next joined the Shirley Horn Trio for 5 years.  Next ,Hawkins replaced bassist Ron Carter as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet in the late 60’s. Following that, Marshall formed his own quintet and played in the D.C. area till the late 70’s.  Hawkins next joined “vocalese” innovator Eddie Jefferson, and through associations was chosen to tour internationally with saxophonist Richie Cole.  Following in the 90’s, Marshall collaborated with jazz artists like Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Pharaoh Sanders, the Manhattan Transfer, and other jazz greats.  In 1978, Hawkins moved to Idyllwild to be a part of the famed Idyllwild High School of the Arts.  In 1986, Marshall founded the Idyllwild Arts Academy as head of the Jazz department, and The Idyllwild Arts Jazz Program earned top honors at the prestigious Berklee School of Music High School Jazz Festival.  Marshall has taught jazz as an art form and has mentored 100’s of young talented people whom he calls “his Kids”.  Hawkins has raised scholarship funds for deserving young musicians who could not afford private high schools for the arts. In 1994, Marshall co-founded the successful Jazz in the Pines Festival, and has been its’ musical director for over 20 years.  Deeply committed to teaching and
exposing school children to the unique American art form of Jazz, Hawkins, in 2002, organized the Seahawk Modern Jazz Orchestra, that brings jazz and educational programs to elementary and secondary schools. This Orchestra gives Marshall’s former students the opportunity to play with a great group of musicians and guest artists. Hawkins has been a regular member of the Harry Pickens Trio, teaches and plays in Idyllwild and San Diego, and has appeared on 4 recordings.

Drummer Duncan Moore is a versatile studio artist who plays in jazz, latin, rock, and r&b bands.  Duncan records jingles, soundtracks, demos, and artists’ projects. Moore started playing the drums at the age of 6, and studied at the University of Iowa.  Over 40 years in San Diego, Duncan has performed and recorded with over 100 Major, National, and Local Artists.  Moore teaches privately, at Jazz camps, gives drum clinics, and is the drumset instructor at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, Ca. Duncan has appeared on over 125 recordings in his career.