Seeing San Diegan Mike Wofford play in town is an all-too-rare occurrence- seeing him in a piano duo with the great Kenny Werner is a once in a lifetime event. Click on a photo to see the full gallery.



I've read Kenny Werner's Effortless Mastery several times over the past decade, and it's amazing how much truth is in that book. It's aimed at musicians, but anyone engaged in a creative pursuit would find it enlightening. I apply many of its core ideas to my photography, more so than my music. I got my copy autographed too, something I never would have thought would happen.



This was my first time hearing Mike Wofford's playing, and I hope to be able to hear him again soon in a more traditional group. I shot the soundcheck for the show which I how I was able to get so close, and the rehearsal consisted of blowing through the songs for about a minute each. I just tried to stay inconspicuous and out of the way, the whole time just giggling to myself that I'm actually here, seeing this.







Despite them both being jazz luminaries, such a short rehearsal didn't give them a chance to really explore the intricacies of the duet format. The show itself was great, but I could still hear them feeling out the each other's playing.



If you ever get a chance to see either one play a show, I highly recommend it. And if you weren't at this one, you missed a unique chance at seeing two accomplished musicians at the top of their game.