Veteran jazz pianist and composer Mike Wofford, who worked with legendary singers like Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, has passed away.

Wofford died on September 19 from hyponatremia, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Wofford passed away in the Balboa Park-area home he shared with his wife and longtime musical partner, flutist Holly Hofmann. He had been receiving hospice care there for two weeks.

According to the newspaper, Wofford was still performing until this summer. He was 87.

Michael Wofford was born in San Antonio, Texas, on February 28, 1938. At age five, he moved with his mother to San Diego, California, and began classical piano lessons at age seven. He admired composers like Béla Bartók and Igor Stravinsky, and jazz pianist Art Tatum.

Wofford discovered his pass

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