Check out Mike Hood on Neworleansmusicians.net
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Mike is in the stidio to record his first CD. The CD is being produced locally and several well known New Orleans artists will be appearing on it.
Look for it's release in April.
Mike's website
Born at the naval base in Alameda, California, Mike was transplanted to Louisville, KY at an early age. He got his start playing piano around the age of 13 when his best friend's father showed him a few chords. From there, he taught himself to play by ear and graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) of Louisville (the equivalent of NOCCA in New Orleans).
His first professional band was Bass Boat Radio; he also played with Chuck Sharp of Sweet Soul Vibe for a few years. At the age of 19, he discovered his forte, New Orleans style music, when a friend told him he sounded like Professor Longhair. It's been full steam ahead ever since. Before moving to New Orleans, he played with the El Roostars, Lamont Gillespie and the 100 Proof Blues Band, and occasionally with Steve Ferguson and the Midwest Creole Ensemble (of NRBQ fame).
Since moving to New Orleans in 2000, Mike has acclimated to the music scene here with ease. Of late, he's been playing regularly on Frenchman Street (the Mecca of NO local music) at the Apple Barrel, the Spotted Cat, and Alley Cats. He recently played at the French Quarter Festival and his first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with Coco Robichaux and made a guest appearance at the Jazz Fest with Eric Lindell.
Mike is also an accomplished guitar player and is happy to be able to play both instruments at any given performance. While his musical influences (Steve Ferguson, Terry Adams, Dr. John, Thelonious Monk, Chuck Leavell and Keith Richards, among others) may be recognized by the discerning music fan, Mike has a style of his own, that has won the hearts of fans throughout the New Orleans musical community and around the world.
Mike is also headed into the studio in August to record his first CD. Produced by Sanford Hinderlie, at STR Records, the CD will be released in early October. Several local artists will be playing on the CD as well as some long time, highly regarded musicians from Mike's home town of Louisville. (And don't be surprised if his son makes a guest appearance as well. Be on the lookout to see this kid working the musical circuit in the future.
Voted Best Local Band 2004 - Bywater Marigny Current
"...has become a very funky element of one of New Orleans' most happening nightlife districts"
- Offbeat Magazine (home), August 2004
"...Mike Hood's barrelhouse boogie-woogie piano leading the charge..."
- Where Y'at Magazine, Best of New Orleans, June 2005
"draws from the gut-bucket tradition of Howlin' Wolf with a dash of New Orleans flair via Professor Longhair."
- New Orleans Magazine (home), December 2003
"...local musician Mike Hood and his backup band pounding out the blues...He was rockin'."
The Gazette - Chicago Bomb Squad
Live New Orleans Music Reviews - Mike Hood's Truck Toe Jam
It's not just how you play the music, it's how you approach it.
I like to keep the blues in everything I do. Blues is at the root of it all. My music is simple, earthy, bluesy, and somewhat recognizable. I like to take a jazz-like, improvisational approach to R&B. Like most artists , I incorporate various styles and approaches of music in my work. I work in funk, rock, blues, R&B, bluegrass, jazz, latin and even a little country. I play Roots music.
My music style may not fit nicely into any one category, but ultimately that is what makes it so fun for the audience. The audience is the catalyst for all that happens. I play for them; to make them move, to smile, to feel good. If everything is right on, there's an energy, almost a religious feeling, a musical spirit that takes over. If everyone feels that happening, you can do magical things. You have to embrace the spirit and let it flow out of you. Let it ride its course and just see where it takes you. When it all comes together, it'll give you goose bumps.
