Getting his start in the Midwest, saxophonist Mike Wyatt has had the opportunity to stretch his musical wings with a variety of recognized groups in an array of styles. His first public performances began in high school, playing in small jazz combos and rock bands. Through continuous listening of many local groups and performers, he discovered his own love for improvising in many styles and aligned himself with legendary Cleveland saxophonist Ernie Krivda for direction.After several years of study with Krivda, Mike worked his way in as a regular member of Ernie Krivda's Fat Tuesday Big Band, a high-energy 18-pc. big band that is renowned for its authentic yet uniquely hip blues, bop, boogie, & shout.Through networking with the members of the Cleveland jazz circuit, Mike met Vaughn Wiester, an accomplished trombonist and former perfomer/writer for Woody Herman. Wiester put Mike in the saxophone section of his Famous Jazz Orchestra when moving to Columbus, OH, where he played weekly with such special guests as John von Olen, Jim Rupp, John Fedchock & Bill Holman.It was in Columbus where Mike also landed his next musical break. A phonecall from percussionist Ed Davis paved the way for what became a spot in one of Ohio's hottest and upcoming acoustic rock/pop bands, American Cherry. Through a fusion of many different elements of jazz, funk, folk, latin, and afro-cuban, American Cherry's danceable, pop-sensitive music landed Mike performances opening for such bands as Oval Opus, The Shantee, Blues Traveller, Red Wanting Blue, Styx, & Peter Frampton.The Scarlet and Grey Café on the campus of the Ohio State University is where Mike got the opportunity to meet a few more rockers that were about to influence him very much. Playing a set opposite American Cherry was the Montreal-based Throwback a tight foursome influenced heavily by roots rock, hip hop, jazz, & folk, delivering their act with seamless vocal harmonies and innovative percussion. After sitting in with the band and getting to know the members, it wasn't until Mike moved to Boston, MA to continue his studies at Berklee College of Music that he was reunited with the members of Throwback. A phonecall, this time from drummer Micah Shapiro, landed Mike guest performances with the band all over the Northeast. He continues to play shows with the group, especially when their travels get them "across the border," and has gotten to open for Pete Francis (formerly of Dispatch), Speechwriters LLC, & the Alternate Routes.Currently, Mike's projects include Two Hour Change, a horn-infused funk and party band powerhouse, available for club dates, weddings, & other private parties. Visit the "Top Friends" to find out more about Two Hour Change. He also performs actively with the Beantown Swing Orchestra, an 18-piece big band that performs traditional big band music from the 1930's, 40's, and 50's. The group was recently featured on the silver screen as the wedding band in the 2008 motion picture My Best Friend's Girl, starring Kate Hudson, Dane Cook, Alec Baldwin, & Jason Biggs!,
