MIKE SANCHEZ (Vocals/piano/guitar) -
British singer, pianist and guitarist Mike Sanchez is one of the most exciting and charismatic performers of Rhythm & Blues and Rock 'n' Roll in the world today. His indelible image as a frenetic front man, pumping powerful boogie-woogie from the piano in a soaking red suit, has won him fans from all over the world and attracted a following from many famous rock and blues legends who have lined up to work with him.
Mike recently enjoyed four years as a full-time member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, fronting the band since 2001 alongside Georgie Fame, Beverly Skeete, Albert Lee, Andy Fairweather-Low and Eddie Floyd on their annual world tours. The Rhythm Kings released their latest album 'Just for a Thrill' and a fabulous DVD filmed during January 2004 titled 'Let The Good Times Roll', both featuring Mike's extensive roll as a member of the ex-Rolling Stones bassist's touring band.
Mike is currently involved in a number of recording projects and touring line-ups, most notably his 6-piece outfit Mike Sanchez and his Band featuring child prodigy Oliver Darling on guitar, ex-Biscuit Boy bassist Al Gare, Mike's long term drummer Mark Morgan, Nick Lunt on baritone sax (Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra) and Martin Winning on tenor sax (Van Morrison). This band's performances continuously receive fabulous reviews throughout the blues and rockin' scenes across the UK and Europe.
A recent project was Mike's collaboration with top Swedish bluesmen Knock-Out Greg & Blue Weather, creating the hot rockin' album 'Women & Cadillacs' released on Mike's own UK label and on-line store, Doopin Music at www.doopin.com. A follow up album with Blue Weather is now in the pipeline for 2008.
In 2003, Mike released a debut 2-hour DVD titled 'Red Hot …Live!' featuring live shows of his own 4 and 7-piece band and The Mike Sanchez Rhythm & Blues Revue, a Johnny Otis 1950s style show starring doo-wop vocal trio The Extraordinaires and Imelda May.
Mike is presently recording a double album of The Mike Sanchez Rhythm & Blues Revue with many special guests, as well as an album with his 4-piece line-up and Grammy Award-winning country rock legend Albert Lee, both projects due for release in the near future.
Mike Sanchez was born Jesus Miguel Sanchez in London's East End to Spanish parents Jesus and Manola on the 17th of February 1964. At the age of eleven, his family moved to Worcestershire in the West Midlands where Mike took up the piano, developing a strong love for 1950s' American roots music through his high school years. As a teenager he taught himself guitar and formed The Rockets, a rockabilly trio.
Shortly after, Mike was introduced to former Chicken Shack, Savoy Brown and Steve Gibbons' multi-instrumentalist Andy Silvester by Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, which led to the founding of the Big Town Playboys in 1984, specialising in authentic post-war Rhythm & Blues. Procol Harum pianist Gary Brooker became an early fan and introduced Mike to his friends Eric Clapton and Amen Corner's Andy Fairweather-Low. The latter signed up as guitarist with the Big Town Playboys for two years in the 1990s. Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood is another good friend who regularly involves Mike in his plans wherever possible.
Mike recorded a number of albums including the classic rockabilly album 'Crazy Legs' with guitar-great Jeff Beck in 1993. The Big Town Playboys had various stints opening for Eric Clapton at London's Royal Albert Hall and appeared at many European music festivals, backing bluesmen like Lowell Fulson, Don & Dewey, Joe Hughes, Jimmy Nelson, Carey Bell and the great Little Willie Littlefield. Mike has also many times over the years been involved movie soundtrack producing and recording, most recently for the movie 'I'll Be There' (2003) starring Charlotte Church and Craig Ferguson. The well-established magazine Blues in Britain voted Mike 'UK Keyboard Player of the Year' for four consecutive years (2000-2004).
Mike's main aim has always been to make every live show his best yet as he continuously enjoys growing acclaim and admiration for his electrifying stage performances from new and old fans of all age groups across the world.
"When It Rains It Really Pours"; Darlington Blues Fest 1999
Mike and band at Weyfest; July 2005.
Mike Sanchez at the Rockin' Race Jamboree
in Torremolinos, Spain.
Rhythm Riot, November 2006: "Girls All Over The World"
"Down The Road Apiece/Kiddio" 2007
VISIT MY WEBSITE!