Thursday, February 4, 2010

ACCLAIMED FLUTIST HOLLY HOFMANN CELEBRATES RELEASE OF NEW CAPRI CD THREE’S COMPANY with February – April Performances

“Holly Hofmann possesses one of the most exquisite flute tones in jazz. She also demonstrates a sure technique, inventive ideas, a secure sense of swing and a broad emotional range.” — David Franklin, JazzTimes

“Hearing Bill Cunliffe on CD is always a major treat... his playing is inventive, melodic, and soulful.”

— Ernie Rideout, Keyboard Magazine

The acclaimed flutist Holly Hofmann celebrates the release of her new Capri CD “Three’s Company” with performances:

February 12 - 14 Newport Beach Jazz Party Newport Beach, CA

Holly Hofmann and Mike Wofford in various configurations,

including their Ellington with Strings program

www.newportbeachjazzparty.com

• February 26 Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive Torrance, CA

Holly Hofmann appearing with Frank Potenza Quartet.

7:30 p.m. Tickets $30 www.torrancearts.com

February 28 U of Chattanooga, Roland Hayes Concert Hall, Vine & Palmetto Chattanooga, TN

Holly Hofmann/Mike Wofford Quartet

7:30 p.m. Tickets $15 - $22. www.utc.edu/finearts

• March 1 Middle Tennessee State University, Hinton Hall Murfreesboro, TN Holly Hofmann and Mike Wofford.

8 p.m. www.mtsu.edu/music

• March 2 Jazz Flute Clinic at MTSU Murfreesboro, TN

March 5 The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street Rock Hall, MD

Holly Hofmann and Mike Wofford

8 p.m. Tickets $15 www.mainstayrockhall.org

March 6 Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA

Holly Hofmann/Mike Wofford Quartet

$15- $20 www.chrisjazzcafe.com

March 26 Yuma Jazz Series, Palms Regional Center, Yuma Yuma, AZ

Holly Hofmann and Bill Cunliffe

(928) 345-1534 www.yumajazz.com

• March 28 The Hamlet at Moonstone Gardens, Moonstone Beach Drive Cambria, CA

Holly Hofmann and Bill Cunliffe CD Release Concert

4 p.m. Tickets $25. (805) 927-0567 www.talsanmusic.com

April 16 and 17 Texas Tech University Flute Fair and Jazz Festival Lubbock, TX

Holly Hofmann and Mike Wofford

8 p.m. Free. www.depts.ttu.edu/music

Hofmann’s stellar new Capri Records CD “Three’s Company” with pianist, composer, and arranger Bill Cunliffe with whom she’s had a 20-year partnership. During this time they have recorded two duo discs (Just Duet, Vols. 1 and 2) as well as Live at Birdland, which featured them in a quartet with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Victor Lewis. Three’s Company features their incomparable duo but adds a fascinating new twist in the form of trios with special guests Regina Carter, violin; Terell Stafford, trumpet; Ken Peplowski, clarinet; and Alvester Garnett, drums. It’s a celebration of musical friendship and camaraderie, and throughout the disc, all the musicians are in constant dialog. Individually, Hofmann and Cunliffe are both at the top of their games.

Holly Hofmann, a native of the Cleveland area, has long been at the forefront of jazz flute playing. Andrew Gilbert of the San Francisco Chronicle declared her “A tough mainstream player who swings with authority, [and] brings a tonal heft to the instrument that it too often lacks in jazz settings.” Phil Woods says: “Along with Hubert Laws, Holly is frankly the best jazz flute player today.” As a child she began playing jazz standards with her father, who was a jazz guitarist. Her formal flute education included studies with Maurice Sharp, principal flutist of the Cleveland Orchestra, with whom she earned a B.M. from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She went on to get an M.M. from University of Northern Colorado, but eventually jazz won out. She began playing regularly with pianist Mike Wofford, and they formed a quartet with Bob Magnusson and Sherman Ferguson, with whom she recorded her first CD as a leader. At this time, Holly also began touring with pianist Bill Cunliffe, and the two toured festivals and chamber venues worldwide, presenting both jazz and classical compositions in brilliantly seamless arrangements. Hofmann has been named a “Rising Star” in DownBeat and was a frequent guest of the Ray Brown Trio, doing stints with them at the Village Vanguard, as well as touring with Brown throughout the US and Europe. She has also worked with jazz masters such as Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton, John Clayton, Houston Person, Regina Carter, Kevin Mahogany, and Mike Wofford, among many others. Hofmann is Music Director for several series and festivals including Jazz in the City in New Brunswick, NJ and Jazz at Newport in Oregon. She’s recorded eleven CDs as a leader and has presented countless jazz workshops around the country. Hofmann is a Pearl Flutes Artist.

www.hollyhofmann.com

www.billcunliffe.com

www.mikewofford.com

www.caprirecords.com

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