Search - Holly Hofmann & Mike Wofford :: Live at Athenaeum Jazz, Vol. 2

Intimate encounter with flute & piano

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 07/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Flutist Holly Hofmann and pianist Mike Wofford have worked together on and off for many years, and both have amply demonstrated their sophistication and spirit in presenting jazz in an intimate environment - small groups, close to their audience. In the duo setting, there's no place to hide, but Hofmann and Wofford have no need or intention to do so. They are obviously in their comfort zone, although with this album Hofmann stretches that zone by recording for the first time on alto flute for three of the 10 tracks.

The selections include some jazz standards such as "More Than You Know," "If I Should Lose You," "Exactly Like You," and Thelonious Monk's "Introspection." There are also some originals, including two by Hofmann, one by Wofford, and a nice blues called "No Mercy." If you enjoy jazz flute in an intimate setting, this an enjoyable rendering by two experts.

The CD is billed as a live album, and the liner notes say it was "Recorded live at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, La Jolla, CA in August 2006." However, there is no indication that an audience was present, so it sounds like a studio session. But there are no electronic enhancements, so you're getting the natural acoustic sound."