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Originally from Houston, Texas, Mike began
studying music formally at the Houston High School for the Performing
and Visual Arts, a school that is renowned for its musical alumni,
which include names as Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Beyonce, Brian
Michael Cox, Eric Harland, Chris Dave, and Kendrick Scott.
After graduating High School, Mike quickly moved to New York City
to attend the New School University with the highest scholarship
the school had ever given to a guitar player. He soon began playing
gigs, working his way into the New York Jazz scene.
After several years of paying dues with many bands around town,
Mike gained the recognition needed to be called to perform and
tour with some of the biggest names in the jazz world. The Joshua
Redman Elastic Band, Lizz Wright Band, Nicholas Payton Quartet,
Me'Shell N'Degeocello, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Greg Osby 4,
Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra, Jeff "Tain"
Watts Quintet, Kenny Garrett Quintet, and Ravi Coltrane Quartet.
Mike has also toured and performed with the rising stars of today
including Jeremy Pelt, John Ellis, Gretchen Parlato, Yosvany Terry,
Josh Roseman, Aaron Parks and Leonardo Cioglia.
Mike has also recorded with major artists such as Interscope
Records’ "Bilal", and Universal Motown’s
"Q-Tip" Rising star Jazz Artists such as Jeremy Pelt,
Robert Glasper, John Ellis, Jimmy Greene, Myron Walden, Sam
Yahel, Marcus Strickland, Yosvany Terry, Geoff Keezer, Frank
Locrasto, Kendrick Scott, Leonardo Cioglia, Louise Setara, and
Bob Reynolds .
Leading his own band, Mike released his debut
CD "BETWEEN THE LINES" on World Culture Music. The
band is a quintet including tenor and piano, playing all his
original music. And even more recently has recorded his follow
up record for the renowned Jazz Label -Criss Cross Records.
His compositions have been called "masterful," and
written with "sophistication that belies his age."
With the attention already received, Mike is pushing himself
to have his voice defined in music, both as a sideman and as
a band leader.
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